Ralph Doubell
Encyclopedia
Ralph Douglas Doubell AM
(born 11 February 1945) is an Australian former athlete, and gold medallist at the 1968 Summer Olympics
.
, Ralph Doubell had a relatively short international athletics career, but he managed to reach his peak at just the right time and in just the right place - an Olympic Games
final.
Doubell was a graduate from the University of Melbourne
, where he had come under the tutelage of legendary Austrian-born coach Franz Stampfl
. Doubell's first major international victory in 800 metres was at the World Student Games in Tokyo in 1967 in a time of 1:46.7. His next season (the Olympic season) was severely curtailed by Achilles' tendon injuries, and he was unable to compete for six months prior to the Olympic Games in Mexico City.
In Mexico, the overwhelming favourite in the Olympic 800 m final was Wilson Kiprugut
of Kenya
who led the field through 400 m in 51.0, and was still leading at the home turn, where Doubell made his move, passing Kiprugut down the straight to win the gold medal in a world record
equalling time of 1:44.3. This time is notable for the fact that no Australian male has yet been able to equal this time, and the time has stood as the Australian record for almost four decades. Doubell had planned to compete at the 1972 Olympics
in Munich
, but was prevented by calf injuries, which hastened his retirement.
After retirement from sports Doubell worked as a Head of Relationship Management and a Director and Divisional Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking of the Deutsche Bank Group in Australia. He was a Director of Telstra Stadium
in Sydney until 2007.
On 12 June 2006, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, he was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia
, for "services to athletics through administrative roles, particularly with Athletics New South Wales, and as a competitor".
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 11 February 1945) is an Australian former athlete, and gold medallist at the 1968 Summer Olympics
1968 Summer Olympics
The 1968 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XIX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Mexico City, Mexico in October 1968. The 1968 Games were the first Olympic Games hosted by a developing country, and the first Games hosted by a Spanish-speaking country...
.
Biography
Born in MelbourneMelbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
, Ralph Doubell had a relatively short international athletics career, but he managed to reach his peak at just the right time and in just the right place - an Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
final.
Doubell was a graduate from the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
, where he had come under the tutelage of legendary Austrian-born coach Franz Stampfl
Franz Stampfl
Franz F. L. Stampfl MBE was one of the world's leading athletics coaches in the twentieth century. He pioneered a scientific system of Interval Training which became very popular with sprint and middle distance athletes.-Early life:Stampfl was born in the capital of then Austro-Hungarian Empire...
. Doubell's first major international victory in 800 metres was at the World Student Games in Tokyo in 1967 in a time of 1:46.7. His next season (the Olympic season) was severely curtailed by Achilles' tendon injuries, and he was unable to compete for six months prior to the Olympic Games in Mexico City.
In Mexico, the overwhelming favourite in the Olympic 800 m final was Wilson Kiprugut
Wilson Kiprugut
Wilson Kiprugut Chuma is a Kenyan former athlete who competed mainly in the 800 metres.He competed at the 1962 Commonwealth Games and was part of the Kenyan 4 x 440 yards relay team which finished fifth. Other members of the relay team were Kimaru Songok, Peter Francis and Seraphino Antao...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
who led the field through 400 m in 51.0, and was still leading at the home turn, where Doubell made his move, passing Kiprugut down the straight to win the gold medal in a world record
World record
A world record is usually the best global performance ever recorded and verified in a specific skill or sport. The book Guinness World Records collates and publishes notable records of all types, from first and best to worst human achievements, to extremes in the natural world and beyond...
equalling time of 1:44.3. This time is notable for the fact that no Australian male has yet been able to equal this time, and the time has stood as the Australian record for almost four decades. Doubell had planned to compete at the 1972 Olympics
1972 Summer Olympics
The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Munich, West Germany, from August 26 to September 11, 1972....
in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, but was prevented by calf injuries, which hastened his retirement.
After retirement from sports Doubell worked as a Head of Relationship Management and a Director and Divisional Head of Corporate and Institutional Banking of the Deutsche Bank Group in Australia. He was a Director of Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
in Sydney until 2007.
On 12 June 2006, in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, he was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
, for "services to athletics through administrative roles, particularly with Athletics New South Wales, and as a competitor".