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Jim Hartung, a former U.S. Olympic gymnast who won gold in 1984 and was a member of the Nebraska Cornhuskers national teams, has died, the school announced. He was 65 years old.
Nebraska announced Hartung’s death Monday. He has been an assistant gymnastics coach for the Big Ten school for the past 19 seasons.
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Jim Hartung of the United States competes in floor exercise during the men’s gymnastics event of the 1984 Summer Olympics, July 31, 1984, at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
“The Nebraska Athletic Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of men’s gymnastics assistant coach Jim Hartung on Saturday evening,” the Nebraska Athletic Department said. “Our condolences go out to Jim’s family, his friends and all those he touched during his remarkable life in gymnastics, from a national champion athlete at Nebraska to an Olympic gold medalist to a successful coach.
“Jim is a true Husker legend and his impact on the sport of gymnastics will continue for decades to come. Our department will provide every resource and support available to our student-athletes and men’s gymnastics coaching staff during this very difficult time.”
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Jim Hartung of the United States is congratulated by his teammates during the men’s gymnastics event at the 1984 Summer Olympics, July 31, 1984, at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
The cause of death has not been announced.
Hartung won seven individual NCAA titles during his time with the Cornhuskers. He won two all-around titles in 1981 and 1982 before graduating. Nebraska won four national championships from 1979 to 1982.
He made even more history when he represented the red, white and blue at the Los Angeles Olympics after boycotting the 1980 Games, which were held in Moscow. He was part of the U.S. team’s only team gold medal in men’s gymnastics.
The U.S. men’s gymnastics team celebrates receiving gold medals won at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. (Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Hartung has four children.
