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Mel Pender made the final of the Olympic 100 meter dash in 1964 and 1968 and placed sixth each time, but in 1968 he helped win a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay. In 1972, at the age of 35, he tied the world indoor best for the 50 and 60-yard dashes and, as a pro in 1973, he again tied the world indoor record for the 60-yard dash.
Pender retired after 21 years as a career Army officer, having achieved a rank of captain. He also worked as a track shoe designer and marketing specialist, track coach at West Point, and for some time as director of the Youth Development Program of the NFL Players' Association.
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