Richard Mitchell

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.