Snell, Peter (1938-2019), a New Zealand track and field star, was one of the world’s greatest middle-distance runners. In 1962, he set three world records, for the mile (3 minutes 54.4 seconds), 880 yards (1 minute 45.1 seconds), and 800 meters (1 minute 44.3 seconds). He won three gold medals in appearances at two Olympic Games. He won the 800 meters at the 1960 games in Rome. Then, at the 1964 games in Tokyo, he won both the 800 meters and the 1,500 meters.
Peter George Snell was born on Dec. 17, 1938, in Opunake, on the North Island of New Zealand. He retired from athletics in 1965. Following his retirement, Snell became interested in the science of sport. He earned a doctorate in exercise physiology from Washington State University. He later held several academic and research positions at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. Snell died on Dec. 12, 2019.
