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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 championship team, has died, the school said. He was 65.
Nebraska announced Hartung’s death Monday. He was 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 the floor exercise during the men’s gymnastics event at the 1984 Summer Olympics on July 31, 1984 at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
“The Nebraska Athletic Department is deeply saddened to announce the passing of assistant men’s gymnastics coach Jim Hartung on Saturday evening,” Nebraska athletics said. “Our condolences go out to Jim’s family, friends and everyone he impacted 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 all available resources and support to our men’s gymnastics student-athletes and coaching staff during this very difficult time.”
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Jim Hartung of the United States is congratulated by teammates during the men’s gymnastics event at the 1984 Summer Olympics on July 31, 1984 at Pauley Pavilion on the campus of UCLA in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
The cause of death was not disclosed.
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 more history when he appeared for the Red, White and Blue at the Los Angeles Olympics after boycotting the 1980 Games, which took place in Moscow. He was part of Team USA’s only team gold medal in men’s gymnastics.
The US men’s gymnastics team celebrates while receiving the gold medals they 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.
