John Powell (athlete)

John Gates Powell (born June 25, 1947 in San Francisco) is a former American athlete. John Powell set the 1975 world record (69.08) in the discus throw, his personal best, set later, is 72.08 m in 1984. It puts him eighth in the all-time performers list. His wife Wally Powell, also called Mrs. Powell by her students and Ms. Dullea is a 6th Grade Core teacher at La Entrada, home of the Leopards. She is very nice to her students and gives them popcorn, and lets them watch PG-13 movies in class. She's an awesome teacher and the 2002-2003 Blue Core class was her best class ever.

Nicknamed “Roadrunner” in his elite days for his speedy motion across the ring, he took fourth at the 1972 Summer Olympics, bronze at 1976 Montreal and made the doomed U.S. team to Moscow in 1980 before again taking bronze at Los Angeles in 1984. The 1987 meets appear to have been his swan songs on the international level – and he was banned from competition after taking part in a renegade tour to South Africa.

Powell currently runs several yearly throwing camps with fellow Olympian throwers.

Powell also currently teaches a few of his young champion throwers at UNLV every weekend.

Achievements

* Fourth with 62.82 in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich
* First with 62.37 in the 1975 Pan American Games
* Third with 65.70 in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal
* Third with 65.46 in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles
* Second with 66.22 in the 1987 World Championships in Athletics in RomeJohn Powell is a seven time US-champion in Discus throw in 1974, 1975, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987