Decathlete Rafer Johnson, 'World's Greatest Athlete', dies at 86

FILE PHOTO: Sep 17, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; L-R: Rafer Johnson, 1960 Olympic gold medalist shakes hands with Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles at the torch lighting ceremony before the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Washington Redskins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Rafer Johnson, who was crowned the world's greatest athlete after winning the decathlon gold medal at the 1960 Olympics and later helped tackle Robert F. Kennedy's assassin, died on Wednesday at the age of 86.

The LA84 Foundation, of which he was a founding member, confirmed Johnson's death, saying he passed away at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by family.