Olympic Decathlon Gold Medalist Rafer Johnson Dies At 86

SHERMAN OAKS, CA — Rafer Johnson, a gold medalist who lit the torch at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum before the 1984 Summer Olympics, died today at his Sherman Oaks home. Johnson, who also helped capture Robert F. Kennedy's assassin Sirhan Sirhan, was 86 years old.

Johnson won the 10-event decathlon at the 1960 Rome Olympics, leading many to call him the "World's Greatest Athlete." During the same olympics, Johnson became the first Black flag bearer for the United States.

Born in Texas during the Great Depression, Johnson was the second of six children of farmworkers Alma Gibson Johnson and Lewis Johnson. The family moved to California while he was young, becoming the only Black family in the town of Kingsburg.

Johnson would later attend UCLA, where he played basketball under the great coach John Wooden and became the first Black man at the university to join a national fraternity, Pi Lambda Phi. While at school, Johnson was also elected student body president.

UCLA Chancellor Gene Block was one of many who expressed his condolences on Twitter.

"With a heavy heart, UCLA mourns the loss of Rafer Johnson, one of the most honored & cherished members of our Bruin family," Block said. "I will always remember Rafer’s genuine compassion, drive for helping others & his service to the community. My heart goes out to Betsy & his entire family.

The UCLA Athletic department also shared some words on Johnson's incredible life.

"We are devastated by the news of the passing of Rafer Johnson," the department wrote. "Words cannot sufficiently express what Rafer means to this athletic department, to this university and to our grater community. A true humanitarian, Rafer's profound impact transcends sport. He will be forever remembered not only for his historic athletic achievements, but also for his heart and for the tremendous example he has set for all Bruins."

Johnson won the Pan American Games in 1955, and in 1958 during the Cold War, defeated world record holder Vasili Kuznetsoz in a U.S. - USSR track meet and set a world record. Soon after, Sports Illustrated named him the 1958 Athlete of the Year.

In 1968, Johnson was working on Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign when the candidate was shot in the kitchen of the Ambassador Hotel. Along with football player Rosey Grier and multiple authors, Johnson took down assassin Sirhan Sirhan after a brief struggle.

Later, Johnson served on the executive committee of the organizing committee for the 1984 Summer Olympics, held in Los Angeles. The two-time Olympian was also a founding member of the LA84 Foundation, which supports youth sports organizations through grants and funds the development and maintenance of sports fields.

"He embodied the Olympic movement," said Peter Ueberroth, CEO of the 1984 Summer Olympics and board member of the LA84 Foundation. "There are so many lives he touched and improved as a true hero who cared deeply for others. Each day we are focused on honoring his legacy. His DNA will always be embedded in our work. Today, we offer our love and support to his wife Betsy and family."

As news of his death spread, Supervisor Janice Hahn announced the Coliseum's torch had been lit in Johnson's honor.

“Rafer Johnson was a great athlete and a great human being. His legacy will live on forever,” said Hahn.

City News Service contributed to this report.