"Mighty Burner" Dies At 61

Track lost a great one on Thursday, and will be sorely missed. Larry James is most remembered for earning gold and silver medals at the 1968 Mexico City Games.

He placed second in the 400-meters (43.97) and followed the performance with a gold medal performance as a member of the 1,600-meter relay that set the new world record of 2 minutes, 56.16 seconds.

Many recall the ridiculous 43.8 third James ran on third leg. The relay time was equalled at the 1988 Olympics and stood until the 1992 Team USA broke the time.

James died at his home in Galloway, N.J. - he was 61.

Nicknamed "The Mighty Burner," James was a 1970 graduate of Villanova. He served the athletic director at Richard Stockton College for 28 years.

Jay Hicks for Prerace Jitters.