- Jan 10 Arthur Sydney Martin, British M15 spycatcher, dies at 81
- Jan 14 Jacques LeBrun, French yachtsman (Olympic gold Snowbird class 1932), dies at 85
- Jan 16 Harry Potts, English soccer forward (Burnley, Everton) and manager (Burnley, Shrewsbury Town, Blackpool), dies at 75
- Jan 17 F. Don Miller, American sports executive (executive director USOC 1973-85; President US Olympic Foundation 1985-96), dies at 75
- Jan 24 Sandor Iharos, Hungarian runner, dies at 65
- Jan 26 Charles Jewtraw, American 500m speed skater (Olympic gold 1924), dies at 95
- Jan 26 David Schultz, American wrestler (Olympic gold 1984), killed by John Du Pont at 36
- Jan 27 Tommy Mitchell, English cricket spin bowler (5 Tests, 8 wickets; Derbyshire CCC), dies at 93
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