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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 teams, has died, the school said. He was 65 years old.
Nebraska announced Hartung’s death on Monday. He was a Big Ten school assistant gymnastics coach for the past 19 seasons.
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Jim Hartung of the USA competes in floor exercise during the men’s gymnastics event of the 1984 Summer Olympics on July 31, 1984 at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
“The Nebraska Department of Athletics is deeply saddened to announce the passing of men’s gymnastics assistant coach Jim Hartung on Saturday night,” the Nebraska Department of Athletics said. “Our condolences go out to Jim’s family, his friends, and everyone he has 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 every resource and support available 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 his teammates during the men’s gymnastics event of the 1984 Summer Olympics on July 31, 1984 at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, California. (David Madison/Getty Images)
The cause of death was not announced.
Hartung won seven NCAA individual titles during his time with the Cornhuskers. He won two all-around degrees in 1981 and 1982 before graduating. Nebraska won four national championships from 1979 to 1982.
He made more history when he participated with 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 as they receive 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.
