The UCLA Athletics Department announced Monday, that Track & Field legend, Hall of Famer and Olympic silver medalist Greg Foster, passed peacefully on Sunday at the age of 64.
The 1984 Olympic runner-up suffered from a rare and potentially fatal disease called amyloidosis, in which the accumulation of a protein causes organ damage. The condition led to heart problems and required him to undergo a heart transplant in 2020. He has died "one of the best hurdlers in track and field," the UCLA statement said:
Greg Foster, a member of the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame and Olympic silver medalist, passed away peacefully on February 19 after a long battle with amyloidosis. He was 64 years old.
Titles and recognitions
The athlete won a total of ten national and world titles from 1981 to 1991: six in indoor track: 60m hurdles (in 1983-85); 55m hurdles (1987-88); and 60m hurdles (1991). And four outdoor 110m hurdles (1981, 1983 and 1986-87).
Foster also won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in his specialty. He was part of 12 international teams and was in the world rankings for 15 years (1977- 1991). He was world number 1 in 1982, 1983, 1986, 1987 and 1991.
The legend was inducted into the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame in 1993 and the National Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.
"The track and field world is in mourning for this steeplechase legend," tweeted Trinidad and Tobago's Ato Boldon, a four-time Olympic sprint medalist.
Legendary UCLA Bruin 110m hurdler Greg Foster passed away tonight.
He was world champion in 1983, 1987 and 1991, and Olympic silver medalist in 1984, in Los Angeles. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. The track and field world mourns this hurdling legend. pic.twitter.com/ve1u9GScVu— Ato Boldon (@AtoBoldon) February 20, 2023
