University of Oregon running great, 1960 Olympian Jim Grelle dies Saturday at 83

Jim Grelle

Former track star Jim Grelle is pictured while a member of the UO team. (Mel Junghans/File)

Former University of Oregon mid-distance star Jim Grelle died Saturday. He was 83.

Grelle, who prepped at Portland’s Lincoln High School, was a 1960 Olympian, competing in the 1,500 meters. He won NCAA championship in the mile in 1959 while running for the Ducks on a team coached by Bill Bowerman that also included Nike co-founder Phil Knight.

Grelle, who briefly held the U.S. record in the mile, has been inducted into both the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame and and the Oregon Ducks Hall of Fame.

-- Ken Goe

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