MIDDLETON, Wis. (WMTV) – At 93, Middleton resident John Bennett remembers his time on the winner’s podium at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia.

“1956. Seems like an eternity ago,” he said.

Bennett won a silver medal in the long jump with a leap of over 26 feet.

“You never forget these moments,” he said.

The native of Grand Forks, North Dakota was 26 years old when he brought home the silver medal.

But now, at the age of 93, everyday memories are beginning to fade. Bennett was diagnosed with dementia a few years ago. But his family says the moments that still stick with him today are those from the Olympics.

“Well, it’s hard to describe. What a wonderful experience,” Bennett said. “I’m overwhelmed… But it was a great experience.”

Bennett finds it difficult to talk about his time at the Olympics without getting emotional.

“This is a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.

But the milestones don’t end there. When Bennett returned home from the Olympics nearly 70 years ago, he met his wife, Therese.

“She’s number one in my fan club,” Bennett said of his wife.

Bennett was a track star in high school and later became a track athlete at Marquette University. After graduating, he joined the Army and continued training to qualify for the 1956 Olympics.

“The most important thing is to represent your country,” he said. “It’s hard to explain how important that is. But it’s a great experience, to say the least.”

Bennett’s advice to aspiring Olympic athletes: “Be good at what you do, stick with it and look for ways to improve your performance.”

When it comes to life, he says, “Just stick with what is true in your heart.”

The Bennetts have four children who say they want people to know that at nearly 94 years old, even with dementia, people can still remember their past.

“Something you will remember for the rest of your life,” Bennett said.

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