Dave Wottle

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David James ("Dave") Wottle (born August 7, 1950) is a former American athlete, winner of 800 m at the 1972 Summer Olympics.

Born in Canton, Ohio, Dave Wottle is probably better known for wearing his old golf headgear while competing than for his track exploits.

As a student at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Wottle finished second to Marty Liquori in the mile run at the 1970 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. During the 1971 season he was hampered by injuries, but a year later in 1972 he won the 1,500m at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and at the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships he won the mile run in a time of 3:57.1, an NCAA record that still stands today (1975 was the last year the mile was contested at the NCAA's outdoor meet).

In the Olympic year 1972, he won the AAU 800m title before equalling the world record over 800m of 1:44.3 at the US Olympic Trials. In the Olympic 800m final, Wottle immediately dropped to the rear of the field, and stayed there for the first 600m, at which point he started to pass runner after runner up the straight, finally grabbing the lead in the final metres to win by just 0.03 seconds. This gained him the nickname of "The Head Waiter". At the victory ceremony, Wottle unconsciously forgot to remove his golf cap. This was interpreted by some as a form of protest, but Wottle later apologized. He also competed in the 1500m at the Munich Olympics, but was eliminated in the semi-finals.

Wottle turned professional in 1974, but retired quite soon after that. Later he became a college track coach. Presently, Wottle is Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

External link

• Dave Wottle - The man with the hat and the Olympic gold medal by Jake Fehling

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