Brian Oldfield

Brian Oldfield (born June 1, 1945 in Elgin, Illinois) is a former American athlete and personality of the 1970s and early 1980s. A standout shot putter, Oldfield is credited with making the rotational technique popular. With his "Oldfield spin," he set the indoor and outdoor world records in the sport many times. However, due to his status as a professional athlete, his records were never officially recognized.

Life and career

Oldfield began his career at Middle Tennessee State University where he won the Ohio Valley Conference championship three times. The University recognized his achievements by inducting him into their athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

After holding several jobs, Oldfield set his sights on achieving stardom in the shot put as an Olympian. In 1972, he made the US Olympic team, but finished in 6th place. He bounced back less than a year later by setting his first world record, with a throw of 21.60 m (70'10½"). However, this record was not official due to his affiliation with professional track & field.