Gold and Grace: The Higher Purpose of an Olympic Champion

Earl Young, an Olympic sprinter, businessman, and cancer survivor, has entered a final race to save lives.

Gold and Grace follows the story of Earl Young, who won Olympic gold in 1960 at nineteen, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and embarked on a globetrotting finance career in the oil, gas, and precious metals industries.

At the age of 71, Earl was diagnosed with leukemia and given only three months to live. Miraculously, a stem cell match was found with a woman in a small village in Germany. After a difficult recovery, Earl dedicated himself to passing on the blessings of his donor’s unselfish gift. He created Earl Young’s Team, a non-profit that recruits stem cell donors to help others stricken with deadly blood cancers.

Earl Young encourages readers to develop their God-given gifts and find their highest purpose in serving others, just as he has done. ＂I believe the most meaningful life is one of purpose, especially when our purpose is greater than ourselves.＂

Earl Young became the youngest man on the US national track team to earn a gold medal at the Rome Olympics in 1960 following his sophomore year at Abilene Christian College. After placing sixth in the 400-meter dash, Young helped the 1600-meter relay team establish an Olympic and World Record with a time of 3:02.2.

After the Olympics, he returned to the classroom and completed his degree. For two more seasons, he ran track for the Wildcats. Young placed second in the 400-meter final at the NCAA championships in 1961. He anchored the Abilene Christian track team in key victories at the Texas Relays and the Compton Invitational. At the Pan-American Games in 1963, Young won gold with the 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams.