Augie Hirt of Wheaton was a world-class racewalker whose Olympic dreams were dashed in 1976 and by the 1980 boycott. He still holds several American records in the sport.

Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

Augie Hirt of Wheaton was a world-class racewalker whose Olympic dreams were dashed in 1976 and by the 1980 boycott. He still holds several American records in the sport.

Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

Augie Hirt of Wheaton was a world-class racewalker whose Olympic dreams were dashed in 1976 and by the 1980 boycott. He still holds several American records in the sport.

Paul Michna | Staff Photographer

On his way to winning the national championship 100-mile racewalk in 1976, Augie Hirt leads defending champion Chuck Hunter, left, and American record-holder Larry O'Neil. Only 25, Hirt credits Hunter's taunting for inspiring him to keep going.

Courtesy of Augie Hirt

In a precursor to the Olympics, Augie Hirt wins his first international race in Montreal in 1974. But officials cut Hirt's event from the racewalking schedule in the 1976 games. Instead, Hirt competed at the world championships in Sweden, where he finished second.

Courtesy of Augie Hirt

Getting a chance to sit for the first time in nearly 20 hours, an exhausted Augie Hirt becomes the youngest person ever to win the 100-mile racewalking national championship in 1976.

Courtesy of Augie Hirt