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Olympians

Richard Mitchell

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Athletics

Age

Passed away

Olympic History

Montreal 1976

Moscow 1980

Los Angeles 1984

Career Events

Athletics Men's 200m

Athletics Men's 4 x 400m Relay

Athletics Men's 400m

 

Richard's Story

1955 - 2021

Track star Rick Mitchell’s finest moment came when he won a silver medal in the men’s 400m in 1980. Mitchell produced a withering finish to come from last rounding the turn to second, with only Russian Viktor Markin denying him gold.


Mitchell was a triple Olympian for Australia. He raced in four events in 1976, placing sixth in the 400m as well as competing in the 200m and 4x100m and 4x400m relays. In 1984 he narrowly missed a second Olympic medal, running a strong leg for our 4x400m relay team which placed fourth. Mitchell’s silver stands as the only men’s individual track medal won by Australia since 1968.

Mitchell passed away in June of 2021 after a battle with prostate cancer.

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The Australian Olympic Committee acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of all the lands on which we are located. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present.

We celebrate and honour all of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympians.

The Australian Olympic Committee is committed to honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society and sport.