From a chicken house to the Olympics – Dr. Greg Bell’s remarkable story

LOGANSPORT, Ind. (WTWO-WAWV) — 26 feet 7 inches, that measurement is important to 93 year old Dr. Greg Bell. About five years ago, he and his wife moved into this Logansport home.
Out of curiosity, the doctor measured the width of the existing deck. It’s 26 feet 7 inches, the measurement of his longest long jump.

Bell was born in Terre Haute in 1930, and life was difficult. His family didn’t have a lot, in fact, for time they lived in a chicken house, because their home burned down.

“I don’t ever remember seeing 20 dollars in house,” said Bell.

Bell and his siblings spent a lot of time playing, running and jumping. At Garfield High School, Bell ran track and did the long jump, without any good coaching for the event. But he was a natural, losing in the state championship by several inches.

After high school, he was drafted into the Army and was sent to Europe. While over there, He heard about a military track meet in France and was granted permission
to compete.

He won and then he won another military meet.

“Really that was the beginning of my life,” said Bell.

Once his military commitment was over, it was back to Terre Haute and a job at a factory
making airplane parts. That was his life, or so he thought until one day, when he was sick and his mom arranged a visit by Dr William G. Bannon who noticed his military trophy.

Bannon told Bell to get out of bed, because he had some talent Dr. Bannon also had connections to Indiana University and helped him get in school and on the track team. Bell says owes so much, to Dr. Bannon.

“He was most important person in my life,” Bell reflected.

At I.U., with proper coaching, Bell started fly, winning meets and medals and gaining a reputation. And then he made the Olympic team in 1956.

It was quite an experience, because Bell won the long jump in the Melbourne Olympics.

“It was really heartwarming to know I beat everyone in the world,” remembered Bell.

Because of his ability to jump, he was able to meet people like Muhammad Ali  and he was
friends with the great Jesse Owens. Jumping also gave him access to education and for years, he practiced dentistry. And he always remembered Dr. Bannon’s care for him and he brought that into his practice.

“For 93 years, he gave a lot and he has seen more than a lot of people might ever see,” said his wife Mary.

Bell says his journey was difficult, especially early on. For many years, even though he served in the military and won gold for his country, he faced discrimination.

“It was irritating as hell to be training to fight for a country and not eat in restaurant, said Bell. But I’m still proud that I’m an American because whatever’s wrong with this country it’s
still way better than second place.”

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