Bud Held

Franklin Wesley "Bud" Held (born October 25, 1927) is an American athlete primarily notable for his performance throwing the javelin. He was born in Los Angeles, California.

College career Held started as a pole vaulter at Grossmont High School near San Diego, where he finished in a 3-way tie for 4th place at the 1946 CIF California State Meet. He switched to the javelin while a student at Stanford University, where he won the NCAA javelin championship in 1948, 1949, and 1950. Held won the AAU USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships six times, 1949, 1951, 1953 to 55 and 1958. Held set six American records in the javelin, and in 1953 became the first American to hold the world javelin record with an effort of ; in so doing, Held became the first athlete ever to throw the javelin over . after a shoulder injury, and missed making the 1956 Olympic team by an inch.

Master's competition Held continues to compete in masters competitions. In 1970, Held set a United States national masters javelin record of . adding to the M75 World Record he already holds. He is also ranked in the discus. He also coaches his live-in partner Nadine O'Connor, who holds the women's 65+ pole vault world record, among numerous other track and field records.

Outside of competition After his retirement from standard competition, Held became a sporting equipment businessman. He also invented a hollow javelin that was used into the 1960s, but his design was later outlawed due to safety concerns.

Honors Held was inducted into the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1987, and is a member of the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame.