Bill Johnson, a swaggering skier who in 1984 became the first American man to win an Olympic gold medal in downhill skiing, but whose life took a sharp, precipitous turn soon afterward, died on Thursday at an assisted-living facility in Gresham, Ore. He was 55.
Megan Harrod, a spokeswoman for the United States Alpine team, confirmed his death. Johnson, in declining health, had a series of strokes in recent years.
Downhill racers, who hurl themselves down slick, dizzying slopes, are seldom retiring, but Johnson’s brashness stood out. Like Muhammad Ali, who predicted the round in which he would stop an opponent, Johnson promised Olympic gold in 1984, at Sarajevo.