- Born
- Died
- John Pennel was born on July 25, 1940 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. He was married to Carolyn. He died on September 26, 1993 in Santa Monica, California, USA.
- SpouseCarolyn(? - September 26, 1993) (his death, 3 children)
- After his athletic career, Pennel worked in sports marketing, for Adidas and others, and made television commercials.
- Inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame (2004).
- The first man ever to clear 17 feet in the pole vault, John Pennel is recognized as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time. Pennel broke the 17-foot barrier using a fiberglass pole when most competitors were still using wooden poles. His world record was a clearance of 5.20m/17 feet, 0.75 inch, on August 24, 1963 in Miami, Florida. Pennel was later passed by both Fred Hansen and Bob Seagren before he reclaimed the world record in 1968 with a clearance of 5.44m/17-10.25, a standard that lasted until 1973. A two-time Olympic pole vault finalist (1964, 1968), Pennel was the favorite in 1964, but pain from a slipped disc caused him to finish 11th. The 1965 USA pole vault champion, Pennel held the world and U.S. outdoor pole vault record on numerous occasions, and was a two-time world and U.S. indoor record holder. He was world ranked seven times (#1 two times) and won the prestigious AAU Sullivan Award in 1965 as the nation's outstanding amateur athlete. He retired shortly after placing fifth at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.
- Set eight world records in the 1960s and was the first man to clear 17 feet.
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