Dave Wottle

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Medal record
Men’s Athletics
Competitor for United States
Olympic Games
Gold	1972 Munich	800 metres

David ("Dave") James Wottle (born August 7, 1950) is a former American athlete, winner of the 800 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics, perhaps best known for wearing a golf cap while running.

Dave was born in Canton, Ohio, and attended Bowling Green State University. There he finished second to Marty Liquori in the mile run at the 1970 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. During the 1971 season he was hampered by injuries, but a year later in 1972 he won the 1,500 m at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, and at the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships he won the mile run in a time of 3:57.1, an NCAA record that still stands today (1975 was the last year the mile was contested at the NCAA's outdoor meet).

In the Olympic year 1972, he won the AAU 800 m title before equalling the world record over 800 m of 1:44.3 at the US Olympic Trials. In the Olympic 800 m final, Wottle immediately dropped to the rear of the field, and stayed there for the first 500 m, at which point he started to pass runner after runner up the final straight, finally grabbing the lead in the final metres to win by just 0.03 seconds. This gained him the nickname of "The Head Waiter". At the victory ceremony, Wottle forgot to remove his golf cap during the playing of the national anthem. This was interpreted by some as a form of protest, but Wottle later apologized.

He also competed in the 1500 m at the Munich Olympics, but was eliminated in the semi-finals.

His signature cap was used for practical purposes. He sported long hair at the peak of his career, so the hat kept his hair out of his face. After realizing the cap was part of his identity, he wore it for the remainder of his career.

Wottle turned professional in 1974, but retired quite soon after that. Later he became a college track coach at Walsh College (1975-77) and Bethany College (1977-81).

Currently, Wottle is Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Records
Preceded by Peter Snell	Men's 800 metres World Record Holder equalled time of Peter Snell and Ralph Doubell 1972-07-01 – 1973-06-27	Succeeded by Marcello Fiasconaro
Sporting positions
Preceded by Dicky Broberg	Men's 800 metres Best Year Performance 1972	Succeeded by Marcello Fiasconaro
Awards
Preceded by Robert W. Ash Bruce Bannon Blake L. Ferguson Jerry A. Heidenreich Sidney A. Sink	NCAA Top Five Award Class of 1974 David A. Blandino Paul D. Collins David D. Gallagher Gary Hall, Sr. Dave Wottle	Succeeded by John R. Baiorunos Pat Haden Randy L. Hall Jarrett T. Hubbard Tony Waldrop