Peter Snell, his wife Miki (right) and Massey vice-chancellor Judith Kinnear parade with graduates yesterday. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Olympic track legend and academic Peter Snell has finally received his first New Zealand degree.
The triple gold medallist was yesterday awarded an honorary doctorate in science from Massey University in Palmerston North.
Dr Snell, 68, also has a BSc in human performance from the University of California
at Davis and a PhD in exercise physiology from Washington State University. He was an associate professor at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre.
He won three gold medals at the 1960 Rome and 1964 Tokyo Olympics and two at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth. He broke multiple world records, one of which - for the mile on a grass track - still stands.
Professor Ray Winger of Massey said Dr Snell was a New Zealand icon for his sporting achievements and how he achieved them "with total dominance, grace and humility".
However, he was receiving his degree for his research into human health and fitness in the US. Dr Snell's work had, among other things, proven the credibility of the training techniques of his coach, Arthur Lydiard.
Dr Snell told Massey graduates there were three gifts people could provide themselves in life: a university education, a fulfilling career and a high level of wellness.
- NZPA
