logo
Getty Images
Getty Images

Olympic Track Champion Lee Evans Has Died at 74

Gracious Egedegbe
May 21, 2021
09:10 A.M.

Olympic icon Lee Evans is no more. The world champion died after one week of hospitalization due to a stroke. He was 74 years old.

Advertisement

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Lee Evans has passed on. The news of his death became public knowledge after Lee suffered a stroke and was hospitalized for some days.

It was noted on Twitter that Lee was a revered world champion who passed away on Wednesday. Fans have since put up their farewell messages, all reminiscing on his iconic career.

US Olympic track and field athlete Lee Evans during a 400m race on August 12, 1967. | Photo: Getty Images

US Olympic track and field athlete Lee Evans during a 400m race on August 12, 1967. | Photo: Getty Images

Advertisement

Lee, a renowned track and field athlete, was in Nigeria in his latter years working alongside his long-time pal and soccer icon, Segun Odegbami. The two joined concerted efforts at Odegbami's International College and Sports Academy.

Lee was said to have collapsed one evening while dining with Odegbami and some of their friends. After he was transported to the hospital, doctors confirmed he suffered blood clots in his brain.

However, the doctors could not figure out why he remained in a coma while alive via a ventilator. Odeganmi was said to have taken care of all the hospital bills, ensuring that Lee received as much care as possible.

Advertisement
Advertisement

In the weeks leading up to Lee's passing, his children beckoned on the general public to help raise funds so he could be taken back to the United States for proper care.

He noted that he witnessed Lee's unmatched passion for sports when he randomly coached youths on the streets.

A GoFundMe account was set up, and the goal was summed at $500,000. His son, Solofo Evans, noted that the family worked with the US embassy in Nigeria so that his dad could be cleared for travel.

Advertisement

However, Lee's daughter, Manjanahary Evans, noted that they were unsure if their dad would travel because of the COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Lee's impressive legacy started in 1968 when he joined the Olympic team at the Mexico games. He not only won the 400-meter race, but he also broke a speed record of winning at 43.86 seconds.

He won a gold medal for this feat, and the second gold medal came when he broke another record during another 400-meter race, winning at 56.16 seconds.

Advertisement

Lee's record remained undefeated for almost two decades. The Olympic champion's passion for human rights came when he received his medals and sported a black beret in solidarity with the Black Panthers.

Speaking about the San Jose native, Odegbami described him as a "restless spirit" who found peace in Africa. He noted that he witnessed Lee's unmatched passion for sports when he randomly coached youths on the streets and in villages.

Advertisement
info
Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories!
By subscribing, you agree to our Privacy Policy
Advertisement
Related posts

Tom Welling Took 5 Years to Wed His 1st & 2nd Wives - The 2 Marriages Show Major Differences

February 04, 2022

Caitlyn Jenner Feels That 'Old Bruce' Still 'Lives Inside’ Her - Kids Call Her ‘Dad’ Even After Transition

February 27, 2022

Are Madison Chock & Evan Bates Married? Inside the Figure Skaters' Off-Ice Relationship

February 15, 2022

Rich Lawyers Mock Waitress to Tears, Chef Says She Means a Lot More than Money and Intervenes

May 10, 2022

Kathie Lee Gifford Stayed Celibate until 22 When She Wed 1st Husband — She Spent Wedding Night Sobbing

April 08, 2022

Jackie Kennedy 'Wasn't Naïve' of JFK Affairs & Wanted to Divorce Twice Though Stayed Married Until His Passing

February 13, 2022

Roy Rogers' Wife Was Fired from Their Films after Marrying Yet They Were a Life & Stage Duo for 50 Years

March 18, 2022

Craig Melvin and Wife of 10 Years Hid Their Romance for Months - Now They Are Parents of 2 Biracial Children

February 09, 2022

Rock Hudson & Jim Nabors Never Spoke Again after They Were Reportedly Seen Getting Married

March 13, 2022

Teen Son Keeps Promise to His Mother and Raises His 4 Siblings after Her Death

February 14, 2022

Jackie Chan ‘Never Existed’ in His Daughter’s Life & Did Not Support Her When She ‘Slept Under a Bridge'

February 18, 2022

Inside Dick Van Dyke & Decades Younger Wife’s Home Where He Shows off Routine He Says Will Get Him to 100

April 22, 2022

Inside Death Hoaxes about Queen Elizabeth Including Claim She Stopped Breathing in 2021 While William Cried

February 24, 2022

Widowed Mom Learns Her Son Escapes Home Every Night, He Returns One Day with Bag Full of Cash – Story of the Day

April 11, 2022