Abilene, TX — 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.
His work abroad led him to serve as director of the Corporate Council of Africa, and he was active with the US Olympic and Paralympic Alumni Association, where he helped create a relief fund for Olympians in need.
At the age of seventy-one, Earl was diagnosed with a deadly form of leukemia. Doctors gave him only three months to live. The odds of finding a stem cell donor were one in twenty-two million. Miraculously, a woman living in a small village in Germany was a match. She stepped up and agreed to save his life. 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.”
“The adage ‘Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian’ has never fit a world-class competitor better than Earl Young. He helped put his alma mater on the map with his athletic accomplishments, and saves lives through his tireless work to defeat blood-borne cancer. He has carried his gold medal, faith, and selfless spirit around the globe, telling his one-of-a-kind story about the urgent need to care for each other in small yet mighty ways.”
—Ron Hadfield, Editor Emeritus, Senior Writer and University Historian, Abilene Christian University
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 4×100 and 4×400 relay teams.
Gold and Grace
By Earl Young
October 2025, Softcover
224 Pages, $19.99
ISBN: 9781684264025
Media Contact: Kaylin Graves, publicity@leafwoodpublishers.
