At those Olympics Baker won a silver medal in the 100-meter and a bronze in the 200-meter.
10 Facts About Thane Baker
1.
2.
In 1953, as a Kansas State University student, Baker won the NCAA championship in the 220 yards, and in 1956 he won the AAU championships in 200 m Baker won numerous conference titles at Kansas State, and was a four-time All American.
3.
Thane Baker tied the world record in the 100 yd in 9.3 seconds, twice tied the world record in 60 yd indoor events at 6.1 seconds, and set the world record in the 300 yd at 29.4 seconds.
4.
Thane Baker is enshrined in the USATF Masters Hall of Fame and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
5.
Thane Baker is in the Kansas State University Sports Hall of Fame and the Kansas State High School Activities Hall of Fame.
6.
Thane Baker began as a track meet "starter" in 1959 and has started NCAA National Championships and National Federation Championships.
7.
Thane Baker was selected "Outstanding Official" by the Texas Relays Committee in 2010 and inducted into the Texas Track and Field Coaches Hall of Fame, Class of 2011.
8.
Thane Baker has the track named after him in his home town of Elkhart, Kansas.
9.
Thane Baker retired in 1983 as a colonel from the United States Air Force after serving thirty years of active and reserve status.
10.
Thane Baker is the oldest living United States Olympic medalist in track, and ranks third in the world in the same category.