Howard, John
Cycling, Skiing, Speed Skating
b. 1947, Springfield, MO
In a single race, Howard helped rejuvenate competitive cycling in the United States. As a member of the Army cycling team, Howard competed in the 200-kilometer road race at the 1971 Pan-American Games in Cali, Colombia. It was the last event on the program, so it drew more attention from U. S. media than a bicycle race normally would have, and an estimated 1 million spectators lined the road to watch.
Despite a broken spoke in his rear wheel that caused the rim to rub against the brake, Howard broke away from the pack with Luis Carlos Florez and, with about 50 yards to go, he took the lead and beat Florez by four lengths.
The New York Times headlined the story of his victory, "U. S. Wins Cycling Breakthrough." That was accurate, because the U. S. Olympic Committee had considered abandoning cycling, but Howard's victory gave the sport new prestige and, with increased financial support, American cyclists began to win world and Olympic championships during the 1970s.
Howard was the national road racing champion in 1968, 1972, 1973, and 1975.