Olympic champ Mathias passes away

Bob Mathias, a two-time Olympic gold-medal winner in the decathlon, died on Saturday at the age of 75.

A former United States Congressman from California and the director of the first US Olympic Training Center, Mathias captured gold medals in the decathlon at the 1948 and 1952 Olympic Games.

"Bob Mathias was one of those rare individuals with the ability to inspire a nation through his determination and perseverance," United States Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth said in a statement.

He became the youngest track and field goal medallist when he won the 10-event decathlon in London at the age of 17. He cemented his legacy four years later in Helsinki, where he became the first athlete to capture consecutive Olympic decathlon titles.

Ueberroth added: "He was a champion in every aspect of life, and he embraced the values that make our country and the worldwide Olympic movement special.

"With his passing earlier on Saturday, the Olympic movement has lost a loyal friend, and America has lost a true hero."

Mathias also won the 1948 Sullivan Award, given to the nation's top amateur athlete. A full-back on Stanford's gridiron football team, Mathias appeared in the Rose Bowl a few months before competing in the 1952 Games.

He used his sports celebrity to jump-start a career in politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives for four terms from 1967-1974.

Following his political career, Mathias acted as the first director of the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which also serves as the USOC's headquarters.

"Bob represented our country with dignity and honour as an Olympian, a Congressman and as the first director of the United States Olympic Training Center," Ueberroth said. "He cared deeply about athletes and worked tirelessly to make certain future generations would have the support and resources they need to train in pursuit of their Olympic and Paralympic dreams."