Al Oerter won four straight Olympic discus titles from 1956 to 1968.
The American thrower began the streak at Melbourne 1956, then defended his title at Rome in 1960, Tokyo in 1964, and Mexico City in 1968. He became the first athlete to win the same individual event at four consecutive Olympic Games.
Oerter was not always the overwhelming favorite. In 1968, teammate Jay Silvester was widely expected to win, but Oerter produced a 64.78-metre throw and secured his fourth gold medal. His victories also came despite serious injuries, including a painful neck injury before the 1964 final.
A common mix-up is confusing Oerter with later discus champions such as Lars Riedel or Virgilijus Alekna. Neither won four consecutive Olympic titles, and Oerter’s achievement refers specifically to the men’s discus throw, not all throwing events.