2006 Hall of Fame Inductee
As a high school star Nieder became the first prep athlete to break the 60-foot barrier with a 12-pound shot put. Coincidentally, at the University of Kansas, he was the first collegiate athlete to better the 60-foot mark with a 16-pound shot. During his career, Nieder faced the difficult task of competing against fellow National Track & Field Hall of Famers Parry O'Brien and Dallas Long. The winner of the 1955 NCAA Outdoor title and the AAU crown in 1957, Nieder won the silver medal, finishing as the runner-up to O'Brien at the 1956 Olympic Games before winning the gold medal in 1960 in Rome with an Olympic record throw of 19.05 meters/62 feet, 6.25 inches. Nieder, who set the shot put world record on three occasions, tried boxing when his track and field career ended following the 1960 Olympics. He was knocked out in his first bout and hung up the gloves for good. Records Held World Record: Shot Put - 19.45 m (March 19, 1960) World Record: Shot Put - 19.99 m (April 2, 1960) World Record: Shot Put - 20.06 m (August 12, 1960) Championships 1956 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 18.18 m (2nd) 1960 Olympic Games: Shot Put - 19.68 m (1st) 1957 USA Outdoor Championships: Shot Put - 18.75 m (1st) 1955 NCAA Outdoor Championships: Shot Put - 17.45 m (1st) Occupations Employed by 3M and was instrumental in developing artificial athletic turf. Sold first-ever synthetic track surface for an Olympic Games to 1968 Mexico City organizers.