Competitive career Eric Russell (athlete)

eric russell ludwig guttman @ 1976 paralympic games

russell s career began in 1972 when participated in shot put trial national games competed in sydney later year. selected games finished 2 bronze , 1 silver medal. represented australia @ 1974 commonwealth paraplegic games in dunedin, new zealand.

at 1976 toronto games, won 3 gold medals in men s discus 3, men s pentathlon 3 , men s shot put 3 events , silver medal in men s javelin 3 event; part of australia men s national wheelchair basketball team @ games. despite setting world record in discus, rejected gold medal event because of politics being injected games; several national teams had boycotted competition due presence of south african paralympic team during apartheid era, @ time when many sports teams country banned international competition. russell said: have enough of common bond in our disabilities without governments bringing politics . following protest, russell ordered attend meeting kevin betts , ludwig guttmann left meeting in frustration result of issue politics associated games. press conference held next morning russell awarded medal excellence of protest later returned lawn bowler whom taken.

at 1980 arnhem games, won gold medal in men s shot put 3 event , 2 bronze medals in men s discus 3 , men s pentathlon 3 events. @ 1992 barcelona games, came seventh in men s javelin thw6 event. going 1992 games, had won 26 gold medals @ 16 events.