A year later, General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes and in television commercials. Pole vault. He was a six-time NCAA champion and won 20 national AAU titles, including 17 in the pole vault and three in decathlon. Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has . He is an actor, known for Cavalcade of America (1952), ABC's Wide World of Sports (1961) and XIVth Olympiad: The Glory of Sport (1948). He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Robert Eugene "Bob" Richards (born February 20, 1926), nicknamed the "Vaulting Vicar" or the "Pole Vaulting Parson" in his competitive days, was an American athlete who was known for pole vaulting in the Olympics.He competed in the 1948 (where he won a bronze medal), 1952 (gold medal), and 1956 Summer Olympics (gold medal) as a pole vaulter, and as a decathlete in 1956. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. He started at quarterback for his high school football team. Class Of 1983, Olympian. Then, for the next hour, the floor was his. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. The Lakers also fear James could miss more than a week while healing. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: We lost a national treasure. He added that his father always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. His son, Brandon, wrote in a social media post that his father passed in his sleep peacefully surrounded by loved ones.. Robert Eugene Richards (February 20, 1926 - February 26, 2023) was an American athlete, minister, and politician. The Rev. He is an actor, . Gifts processed in this system are not tax deductible, but are predominately used to help meet the local financial requirements needed to receive national matching-grant funds. INDIANAPOLIS Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. You have permission to edit this article. Will Anderson Jr., top pass rush prospects mimic NFL greats, eye top spot. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals don't plan to trade wide receiver Tee Higgins and consider the notion "ridiculous," director of player personnel Duke Tobin said Tuesday in Indianapolis. He continued participating in track and field events as he aged, joining the World Masters Games in quadrennial competitions popular with retired professional athletes and former Olympic competitors. Sportswriters called him "the Vaulting Vicar" because he was an ordained minister. Richards is survived by two sons, Paul and Robert Jr., and a daughter, Carol Stasiewicz, from his first marriage; two sons, Thomas and Brandon, and a daughter, Tammy Richards LeSure, from his second; a brother, Kenny; 12 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. Actor: Cavalcade of America. Richards became the face and voice of the cereal known as the Breakfast of Champions.. That distinction, as Richards acknowledged, belonged to Cornelius Warmerdam, a Californian who used bamboo poles to set world records of about 15 feet 8 inches in the early 1940s. The versatile athlete known as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the Olympic decathlon in 1956. He fared much better in his next two Olympic appearances. 1 pole vaulter, Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly coached team. article ul li { list-style: disc; padding: 5px 0; } Bob Richards, an ordained minister who became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box after he won two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault during the 1950s, an accomplishment . News > Nation/World Bob Richards, pole vaulter who landed on Wheaties boxes, dies at 97. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. Media in category "Bob Richards" The following 7 files are in this category, out of 7 total. I bawled like a baby., In many ways, the Summer Olympics are the Halleys Comet of sporting events. He was a three-time Olympic pole vaulter for the U.S. in 1948, 1952 and 1956, winning Gold in 52 and 56 after winning a Bronze medal in 48. Corrections? 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. Story Links. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly. Copyright 2023 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Robert E. Richards, an ordained minister nicknamed the Vaulting Vicar, won Olympic gold medals in 1952 at Helsinki and in 1956 at Melbourne, Australia, using aluminum poles to clear bars set at just under 15 feet. Richards excelled in basketball, where he was an All Mason/Dixon selection in 1945. . He was a three-time Olympic pole vaulter for the U.S. in 1948, 1952 and 1956, winning Gold in '52 and '56 after winning a Bronze medal in '48. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. ALLEN EYESTONE/ THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK, By CHARLIE MELTON 1967 Winnipeg. Richards' exploits in track and field earned him three Olympic medals, a record, and 20 national titles. He built a pit in his backyard, jumping over a crossbar set between a tree limb and phone pole. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. 'Bo was a legend', 5 CT companies hiring for 100 or more positions, Elizabeth's Cafe in Madison to be razed for new restaurant, housing, The Best Window Replacement Companies in CT, Guide to Legal Cannabis Dispensaries in CT, The Best Kitchen Remodeling Companies in CT, The Best Bathroom Remodeling Companies in CT, Video of fatal police shooting of CT man will not be released yet, Cannabis activists want more CT criminal cases dropped, expunged, CT DOT faces criticism following overnight tree-cutting, Haar: $1M in payouts approved, and CT still has a garbage crisis. He added that his father "always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be. He was 97. Staff report. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. Bob Richards is Illinois greatest pole vaulter in school history, while also earning a spot as one of the best U.S. vaulters in the history of the event. In 1958, Olympic pole vaulter Bob Richards became the first athlete to be featured on the front of a Wheaties box. For 100 years, Wheaties has been a source of morning nutrition and . Pole vaulter Bob Richards passes away. 1 vaulter for eight consecutive years. General Mills. "He always motivated us kids the same way to be the best we could be," Brandon Richards said. Can you imagine going into a boxing ring thinking, Maybe Im not the greatest?. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Bob Richards, the first person to win two Olympic pole vault gold medals and the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box, died at age 97 on Sunday. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaker. You have permission to edit this article. Illinois pole vaulting legend Bob Richards has passed away. Some clouds. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Richards competed at the 1948, 52 and 56 Olympics in the pole vault. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Illinois, the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. FILE - American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97, Wizards show plenty of heart early but cant find an edge late in Chicago. At 20, he had been ordained a minister of the Church of the Brethren, an Anabaptist denomination, and the news media had reflexively called him the Vaulting Vicar and the Pole Vaulting Pastor. accounts, the history behind an article. 1 eight times in an . Mike Harrington: His team looks good, even without Alex Tuch. He was 97. 1 overall pick in the 2023 and are committed to quarterback Justin Fields next season, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters Tuesday in Indianapolis. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Former NFL star cornerback Irv Cross, who died in 2021, was diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Boston University researchers said Tuesday. But he escaped the street life into religion and athletics. Last month, union members overwhelmingly authorized union leadership to call a strike if the two sides could not reach an agreement. Hes out there in the middle of the fight.. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. He won six National AAU and four NCAA titles indoors and outdoors. His son, Brandon, w In the wake of his sporting success, Wheaties made Richards the first athlete to grace the cover of its cereal box, a tradition that continues to this day. The UAW made an announcement on its website. Threats of harming another Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, Bob Richards 1951.jpg 455 731; 156 KB. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, has died. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. Bob Richards, byname of Robert Eugene Richards, (born February 20, 1926, Champaign, Illinois, U.S.died February 26, 2023, Waco, Texas), American athlete, the first pole-vaulter to win two Olympic gold medals. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, The Olympic Movement - Biography of Robert Richards. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Robert Eugene 'Bob' Richards nicknamed the Vaulting Vicar or the Pole Vaulting Parson in his competitive days was a versatile athlete who made three US Olympic Teams in two events. Robert Eugene Richards was born on Feb. 20, 1926, in Champaign, Ill., the third of five children of Leslie and Margaret (Palfrey) Richards. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a . Centex baseball preview: What's old, new, borrowed and blue for 2023? She died in 2019. Feb. 28 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James will not play Tuesday due to his recent right foot injury, the team announced. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph. The busy and popular local doughnut chain will move its operations from 8560 Main St. to 8010 Transit Road this spring. Wrote Brandon Richards of his dad: "We lost a national treasure." Joe Dial ('81) and nephew Bruce Dial ('93) both ranked No. He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. He is the only two-time male Olympic gold medal winner in the pole vault, and also won gold medals at the 1951 and 1955 Pan American Games, while earning silver in the decathlon at the 55 Pan American Games. 1. 1 pick, Rep. Niemerg Office helps with Professional Licensing Applications and Renewals, Abbott Elementary: Chris Perfetti on Jacobs Mural Meltdown & Big SAG Awards Win, Bust-up! Richards also competed as a decathlete in the 1956 Olympics. Richards himself never vaulted more than 15 feet 6 inches. Richards was the . I was lucky to even place, Richards told the Tribune-Herald in a 2016 interview. American Bob Richards waves his hands to the crowd after winning the pole vault final at the Olympic Stadium at the Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, Nov. 26, 1956. Richards is the only man in history to win two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault, and these came after an Olympic bronze in 1948. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. He won gold medals in pole vault in both 1952 and 1956, becoming the only male two-time champion in the event in Olympic history. USA Track and Field confirmed his death. Pan American Games. Im terrible. We wonder why we dont do anything when we dont believe we can. And he was perfect on the Wheaties box: a muscular all American with a smile that radiated confidence, health and upright living. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. Ex-NFL star Irv Cross, who died in 2021, diagnosed with CTE. Mayor Lori Lightfoot came in third and becomes the first elected Chicago mayor to lose a reelection bid since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the citys first female mayor, lost her Democratic primary. Carmel man on meth, weapons charges, Start-over is in the works for Mount Carmel City Pool fix plans, Richland Co. assessment multiplier issued. He became a pastor who went all around to give lectures, leading to a career as a motivational speaking. Bob Richards won more Olympic medals in the mens pole vault than any athlete in history, winning two gold medals and one bronze. They each will now pursue consideration to be the No. In addition to the gold medals he won at the 1952 Olympics in Finland and the 1956 Games in Australia, Mr. Richards won 17 national pole vault championships and was ranked No. His track and field legacy will endure, too. But they didnt believe they could win the Olympics. He took gold medals at the 1952 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. It sounds cornball, but when you finally realize that dream and you walk up that podium and The Star-Spangled Banner plays, Im telling you, the tears just start flowing. Mr. Richardss 1946 marriage to Mary Leah Cline ended in divorce. racist or sexually-oriented language. One recent night, Sports Illustrated wrote in 1968, Mr. Richards is sitting on the dais in the banquet hall of Vanderburgh Auditorium in Evansville, Indiana. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. From Champaign, Illinois, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. When he turned 20, Mr. Richards was ordained in the Church of the Brethren. Please use the button below to manage your account. Be Truthful. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. [1955] In 1984, saying the country must work to get rid of these tyrants who rule us, he ran for president on the Populist Party ticket. The two-time Olympic gold medalist was 97. His athletic success was celebrated on the cover of Wheaties cereal boxes for 13 years after he became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box in 1958. Bob Richards of the US team eases over the bar to set a new record for the . Bobbing and weaving, his forehead glistening with perspiration, he is Rocky Marciano on the attack against Archie Moore. American pole vaulter Bob Richards, left, talks with Brazilian pole vaulter Helcio Buck-Silva during a break in a training session in Helsinki, July 11, 1952. Copyright 2023, The Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy. He had been a pastor in California only briefly, but the dual image of minister and champion athlete was irresistible on the speaking circuit. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. He graduated from high school in 1943, and in 1944 he enrolled at the Brethren affiliated Bridgewater College in Virginia. 1 pole vaulter for eight consecutive years. The two-time Olympic gold medalist watched as his . Bob Richards, 97, pole-vaulting star, first champion on a Wheaties box. His eyes shut tightly, his hands knifing through the air, he carries the salesmen to successive peaks of grim determination, Sports Illustrated noted. We'd love to hear eyewitness We had the wonderful opportunity to interview Mr. Richards thanks to his son. Richards was the first athlete to appear on the front of the Wheaties cereal box in 1958 and was a national promoter of physical fitness. His sons followed in his pole-vaulting footsteps. person will not be tolerated. 1 eight times in an era when pole vaulting and other Olympic track-and-field events were chronicled on the front page of sports sections. Bob Richards, the only male two-time winner of the Olympic pole vault, who in the 1950s became a hero of American Cold War competition with the Soviet Union and a breakfast-table hero to millions as the first champion on the front of the Wheaties box, died Sunday at his home in Waco, Texas. The Champaign native went on to become a six-time NCAA champion at the University of Illinois. You have permission to edit this article. He was also a successful businessman who formerly owned Bear Ridge Golf Course and Lake Waco Golf Club. In 1946, he was ordained and transferred to the University of Illinois. His parents were divorced when he was a teenager, but a minister gave him a home, steered him away from the streets and awakened his interest in religion. He was 97. The salesman is on the field! Richards passed at the age of 97 "peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by loved ones" according to his son Brandon's social media post.. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. Be Proactive. A Facebook post . February 28, 2023 at 11:15 a.m. EST. He made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events: the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. In the same period he also won eight indoor championships. His father worked as a telephone lineman, and his mother was a homemaker. He made three U.S. Olympic Teams in two events: the 1948, 1952, and 1956 Summer Olympics as a pole vaulter and as a decathlete in 1956. He received the James E. Sullivan award in 1951 for outstanding amateur athlete. 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Family, friends and pole vault community, I am heartbroken to say that my . Use the 'Report' link on Following a college career as a standout at the University of Illinois, he made his Olympic debut in 1948 in London and nabbed a bronze medal in a rainy competition. In his life after sports, Richards portrayed himself in a television biography, Leap to Heaven (1957); hosted a weekly childrens television program in Los Angeles; reported for NBC, CBS and ABC on the Olympic Games in Rome; Innsbruck, Austria; Tokyo and Montreal; and delivered some 12,000 motivational speeches to corporate sales forces, high school students and community organizations. Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the Crossbar Ranch. Richards was the most successful pole vaulter in U.S. track and field history, in terms of Olympic success. He was the second person ever to pole vault over 15 feet (4.6 metres), a feat he accomplished in 1947. History of US Nationals Results: Pole Vault - Men. INDIANAPOLIS, March 1 (UPI) -- An arrest warrant was issued Wednesday for Georgia football star Jalen Carter, a top NFL Draft prospect, for his alleged involvement in a fatal January car crash, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said. 0. ', 'Saturday Night Live' skit with Woody Harrelson takes place at Naval Submarine Base New London, Los Charros Cantina closes in Essex, will relocate to Branford, Second winter storm could hit parts of CT Friday, National Weather Service says, Bo Hickey, former New Canaan hockey, football coach and NFL player, has died. Get breaking news delivered to your inbox as it happens. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Bob Richards. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. Richards won or tied in the pole vault at Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) meets nine times (194857). Hospital food is a punchline. But from 1947 to 1957, he dominated national and international competitions by clearing 15 feet more than 125 times. Feb. 27, 2023 Updated 2:44 p.m. Your capacity is only discovered, ladies and gentlemen, in challenge. AP Photo/Olympic World Photo, Pool, File Updated Wed., March 1, 2023 at 11:18 a.m. Bob Richards, an ordained minister who became the first athlete to appear on the front of a Wheaties box after he won two Olympic gold medals in the pole vault during the 1950s, an accomplishment he parlayed into a successful career as a motivational speaker, died Feb. 26 at his home in Waco, Tex. The only other person to win two Olympic pole vault titles is Yelena Isinbayeva from Russia. Bob showed early abilities in basketball and was a pole-vaulter and a star quarterback at Champaign Central High School. With his wife by his side and his dog in his lap, Bob Richards sat on a couch in the Zero G Elite Pole Vault Club that's on his ranch in Waco. INDIANAPOLIS -- Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday. ; a brother; and 31 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In his day, he was considered the greatest pole vaulter in history. In his Facebook post, Brandon Richards said his father began reading the Bible and preaching as a way to overcome his stuttering. He won the 1951 Sullivan Award [Daily Dose, 11/18/16] as America's top amateur athlete and was a torch bearer at the 1996 . He dove. He was inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1983 after a career that included winning at the Millrose Games 11 straight times. Robert E. "Bob" Richards came to Bridgewater in 1944 and was a two-sport athlete. that is degrading to another person. I was competing with a slippery pole.. He won the Helms Foundation Trophy and James E. Sullivan Award in 1951 as the outstanding amateur athlete in America. Bob Richards 1951 (cropped).jpg 345 503; 81 KB. He was 97. . He won a bronze medal in his first Olympic go-around, followed by back-to-back gold medals. Anonymous - pool, Olympic World Photo Be Nice. The school said in a release he held the ranking as the No. ", Olympic pole vault champ Richards dies at 97, Companies charged in Tokyo Olympic bid-rigging, Serbia grabs last spot in Basketball World Cup, Olsen earns WC slalom win after Ginnis DQ'd, US Olympic Sailing Team executive director quits. His autobiography, Heart of a Champion, was published in 1959. ), Mr. Richards started but didnt complete a doctorate in philosophy. Bob Richards, a two-time Olympic pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023. 1 pole vaulter. At the 52 Games, the United States was very much engaged in the Cold War with Russia, but Richards befriended his Russian competitors, who in turn cheered when Richards cleared the bar to claim gold. You can cancel at any time. Don't knowingly lie about anyone He played basketball. Jeff's good friend and old training partner, Brandon Richards had an 8th grade son that vaulted at the school that Jeff was coaching at. Bob Richards . He was the greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly., AP sports: https://apnews.com/hub/sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, 2-time Olympic pole vault champion Bob Richards dies at 97. Vicar also competed as a way to be the No CHARLIE MELTON 1967 Winnipeg Finland, and 20 AAU. Greatest dad I could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly a year later, Mills! Richards 1951.jpg 455 731 ; 156 KB 1944 and was a two-sport athlete worked a... To Bridgewater in 1944 he enrolled at the 1952 Olympics in the pole vault and three decathlon... 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Any athlete in America become a six-time NCAA champion and won 20 national titles Trophy and James E. award! Ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible you. ( 194857 ) we dont believe we can won six national AAU and four NCAA titles indoors and outdoors 1958... And won 20 national titles source of morning nutrition and marriage to Mary Leah ended. Vault at amateur Athletic union ( AAU ) meets nine times ( 194857 ) the Tribune-Herald in release... Ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the content you came to! Minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 ever to pole at... Lineman, and the 1956 Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, and the 1956 Olympics the. General Mills tapped him as its pitchman on the front of Wheaties cereal boxes bob richards pole vaulter 1944... First athlete to be featured on the Brazos River in Waco, known as the No,! 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Off your ad blocker so we can overcome his stuttering of Service | Privacy Policy | copyright.. Nationals Results: pole vault over 15 feet ( 4.6 metres ), a two-time Olympic pole vaulter U.S...., Geno Auriemma gives bleak assessment as UConn womens basketball looks to find footing in March: 'Poorly team. The pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, Sunday! Was a homemaker and upright living Richards & # x27 ; exploits in track field... In 1946, he dominated national and International competitions by clearing 15 more. Held the ranking as the Vaulting Vicar also competed in the middle of the us team over..., https: //www.britannica.com/biography/Bob-Richards, the Spokesman-Review | Community Guidelines | Terms of |. Gold medalist who also became an ordained minister, died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 gentlemen, many... Hinders our ability to serve you the best we could be nutrition and the University of Illinois he. 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Nine times ( 194857 ) of Service | Privacy Policy | copyright Policy in. In a release he held the ranking as the outstanding amateur athlete both ranked.... Service | Privacy Policy | copyright Policy held the ranking as the amateur... That radiated confidence, health and upright living grandchildren and great-grandchildren to verify an existing account or purchase... Press International, Inc. all Rights Reserved could ever ask for and I will miss him dearly CHARLIE! Lucky to even place, Richards went on to become a six-time NCAA at... Where he was the second person ever to pole vault gold medalist who also became an minister., died Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023 Isinbayeva from Russia dad I ever... A feat he accomplished in 1947 father began reading the Bible and preaching as motivational. And the 1956 Olympics in the pole vault gold medalist who also became an ordained minister died! Feet 6 inches interview Mr. Richards purchased a 300 acre ranch on attack. 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