Greg Foster, a three-time world champion and Olympic silver medalist in the 110-meter hurdles, died Sunday after being diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare disease that causes the buildup of the protein amyloid in vital organs. He was 64.
Foster’s death comes just over three years after he had a heart transplant following a diagnosis of the disease in 2016. He also underwent chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant to treat the condition.
Foster’s alma mater UCLA announced Monday that he “passed away peacefully.” Foster became a track and field star at the school, leading the team to the 1978 NCAA championship along with individual titles in the 110-meter hurdles in ’78 and ’80, and the 200-meter in ’79.
He went on to an impressive professional career, winning the gold medal at the world championships in the 110-meter hurdles three times: 1983, ’87 and ’91. He also took silver in the event at the ’84 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
He retired in 1996 and was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame two years later.
