BIOGRAPHY

• Notable sports figure, commentator, and philanthropist

• World and Olympic record holder in the Decathlon

• 1956 Olympic Silver Medalist, Decathlon

• 1960 Olympic Gold Medalist, Decathlon

 

Rafer Johnson, along with a small group of volunteers, founded California Special Olympics in 1969 by conducting a competition at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for 900 individuals with intellectual disabilities. Rafer’s involvement in Special Olympics began the year before, when he attended the first Special Olympics competition, conducted by Special Olympics founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. That event inspired Rafer to become more involved.

 

After the first California games in 1969, Rafer became one of the original members of the Board of Directors. The Board worked together to raise funds and offer a modest program of swimming and track and field. In 1983, Rafer ran for President of the Board to increase Board participation, reorganize the staff to most effectively use each person’s talents and expand fundraising efforts. He was elected president and served in that capacity until July 1992, when he was named Chairman of the Board of Governors.

 

Over the years, Rafer has been involved with scores of charities. However, he is most passionate about Special Olympics Southern California. Rafer was the USA Team Captain and Flag bearer at the Rome Games and was selected to light the Olympic Cauldron to open the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He and his wife Betsy, reside in Southern California. His son, Josh, was a Javelin Thrower for UCLA and his daughter, Jenny, competed at the 2000 Sydney Games in Beach Volleyball.

 

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

1955 Pan American Gold Medalist, Decathlon

1956 Olympic Silver Medalist, Decathlon

1960 Olympic Gold Medalist and Record Holder, Decathlon

1960 Sport's Illustrated, Athlete of the Year

1960 Sport Magazine, Sportsman of the Year

1960 Sullivan Award, Outstanding Amateur Athlete

1960 Associated Press, Athlete of the Year

1960 American Flag Carrier on Opening Ceremony Day at the Olympics

1974 Inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame

1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Torch Lighter for Opening Ceremonies

1988 California Special Olympics "Spirit of Friendship" Award

1990 Elected to National High School Hall of Fame

1992 Humanitarian Award, Free Arts for Abused Children

 

Read more about Rafer Johnson, In His Own Words