April 17th, 2008

Lones Wigger Named to U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

Olympic marksman Lones W. Wigger, Jr. has been voted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame. Lones will be inducted into the Hall during a June 19 ceremony in Chicago, Illinois. “It’s a tremendous honor to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame and especially to represent the shooting sports,” said Wigger. “I am overwhelmed and can’t hardly believe it. I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and supported me.”

Seventy-year-old Wigger (Colorado Springs, Colo.), a rifle shooter whose career spanned 25 years, is a three-time Olympian, having competed at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico and the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, where he won a combined two gold and one silver medals. In addition, he qualified for the 1980 Olympic Team.

Wigger also competed on five Pan American Games teams, where he won five silver and 13 gold medals. During his shooting career, Wigger won 111 medals and set 29 world records in international competition, more than any other shooter in the world. He is a member of the USA Shooting Hall of Fame and was also honored in 1996 by the USOC as a “Golden Olympian.” A retired Army Lt. Col., Wigger is a two-tour Vietnam Veteran and spent 25 years on active duty.

The U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Class of 2008 is composed of nine Olympians, one Paralympian, an Olympic coach, Veteran, Team and Special Contributor.

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