New Zealand Olympic legend Snell dies at age 80

The newspaper reported sports historian and friend Ron Palenski confirmed Snell had died at his Texas home on Thursday after years of heart problems.Snell, considered New Zealand's greatest athlete, won three Olympic gold medals. He took the 800 metres at the 1960 Rome Games and won both the 800 and 1,500 metres at the 1964 Tokyo Games.New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Snell was"a legend, here and around the world.

He set world records in the mile and 800 metres and also won dual gold at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth.His wife Miki told New Zealand's Stuff her husband was having a good day on Thursday, despite a health scare last month when he passed out while driving and crashed into several parked vehicles.

"He felt good, he had gone and done some activities, and was planning on doing more - he wanted to play table tennis," Miki told the publication."He lay down to watch the news on TV and fell asleep. "I tried to wake him up but he wouldn't move. The paramedics came in about five minutes but they couldn't wake him."

Wow. This man alone inspired millions to take up athletics. What a legend Peter Snell was. RIP the king

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