GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — G. Larry James, who won gold and silver medals in track in the 1968 Olympics, died Thursday of cancer. He was 61.

James also was the athletic director at Richard Stockton College for 28 years. School spokesman Tim Kelly confirmed James' death Thursday night.

James, nicknamed "The Mighty Burner," teamed with Vince Matthews, Ron Freeman and Lee Evans on the U.S. 4x400 relay team, which won gold in Mexico City. He also won an individual silver medal in the 400 meters.

James was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2003. He remained active in the Olympic movement, holding a variety of positions with USA Track and Field.

A native of Greenburgh, N.Y., James was a 1970 graduate of Villanova University and earned a master's degree from Rutgers University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, achieving the rank of major.