Former Olympic downhill champ Bill Johnson dies at age of 55

[GeorgeGist]

KITZBUEHEL, Austria (AP) -- Bill Johnson, the brash American who became the first U.S. skier to win an Olympic downhill title, died after a long illness, the U.S. ski team said Friday. He was 55.

Megan Harrod, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Alpine team, said Johnson died Thursday at an assisted living facility in Gresham, Oregon.

Johnson's health had been on the decline for several years after a series of strokes.

Johnson won the downhill at the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics, the first American to capture gold in Alpine skiing's marquee event. He was also the first American male to win an Olympic gold in any Alpine event.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/former-olympic-downhill-champ-bill-johnson-dies-at-age-of-55/ar-BBoyRcg?ocid=ansmsnsports11

[joeybee12]

1. I remember that...way too young

RIP