Parry O'Brien
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | William Parry O’Brien |
| Born | January 28, 1932 Santa Monica, California |
| Died | April 21, 2007 (aged 75) Santa Clarita, California |
| Height | 6 ft 2 1⁄2 in (189 cm) |
| Weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Country | USA |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | Shot put |
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Medal record
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| Updated on 25 May 2015. | |
William Patrick "Parry" O'Brien (January 28, 1932 – April 21, 2007) was an American shot put champion. He competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics where he won two gold medals (1952, 1956) and one silver medal (1960). In his last Olympic competition (1964) he placed fourth. For all of these accomplishments, O'Brien was inducted into the IAAF and U.S. Olympic halls of fame.
Born in Santa Monica, California, O'Brien was very active in sports at Santa Monica High School, playing end on the football team that won the California state championship in 1948. He was then awarded an athletic scholarship in football to the University of Southern California. He also won the (non-standard for high schoolers) 16-pound shot put competition at the 1949 CIF California State Meet. He also finished in third place that year putting the standard 12-pound shot for high schoolers.
O'Brien enrolled in college at U.S.C., where he continued to play football as a freshman until he was kicked in the stomach during practice and injured. He then decided to concentrate on track and field, for the shot put and the discus throw).
In the early 1950s, O'Brien developed a new method for putting the 16-pound shot. The Los Angeles Times described it:
When O'Brien began throwing the shot, the standard method was to rock back on one leg, swing the other in front for balance, hop forward and propel the iron ball forward. O'Brien instead began by facing the back of the circle. He then turned 180 degrees, using the spin to generate momentum and help him throw the shot greater distances.
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