Sebastian Coe’s description of the doctor’s record-breaking run in 1954 underlines its enduring significance 70 years later
erhaps it takes one sporting giant to truly appreciate the towering performance of another. Exactly 70 years ago today, Sir Roger Bannister became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, a target that existed purely in the realms of the fantastical until, on that blustery Oxford day in 1954, he subverted the possible.
“He was privately very funny,” he adds. “I remember having tea with him in his house at Oxford and he told me that he had Parkinson’s. And I said, ‘Roger, I’m really sorry, have you had a second opinion?’ And he looked at me absolutely dismissively and said ‘why would I do that? I diagnosed it myself.’ Because he was a top neurologist.”
I remembered Bannister telling me how he felt so good on the first lap he shouted “faster” at Brasher, even though he flew through it in 57.7 secs. About how halfway was reached in 1:58:3 before a slower third lap meant that he needed to go under 59 seconds for the final lap. Then how the adrenaline kicked in, and history was made.
This was also an era where mythical barriers were flown through, clambered over, ran down. In 1947, Chuck Yeager became the first man to break the sound barrier. Six years later, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay conquered Everest. And in 1954 came Bannister, a new king of the wild frontier. Yet because of athletics’ strict rules over amateur status, he was unable to benefit financially from this achievement.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The French aristocrat who understood evolution 100 years before Darwin – and even worried about climate changeGeorges-Louis Leclerc proposed species change and extinction back in the 1740s, a new book reveals
Read more »
Man faces 100 years jail for fatal teen brawlA US man was convicted on Thursday for fatally stabbing a teen and attacking four others during a deadly water tubing brawl on a Wisconsin river.
Read more »
George Mallory’s final letters to wife published 100 years after fatal Mount Everest climbBritish mountaineer died trying to reach summit in 1924 with his colleague, Sandy Irvine, whose body has never been found
Read more »
More than 100 killed and 20 missing as Mozambique ferry capsizes7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »
Woman's body found three days after falling 100 metres at popular New South Wales waterfallPolice believe the woman, aged in her 20s, was bushwalking when she slipped and fell more than 100 metres into a creek at Belmore Falls in the state's Southern Highlands.
Read more »
EY to Cut Over 100 Jobs Amid Advisory Market DownturnBig four consulting firm EY is planning to cut more than 100 roles, or over 1% of its workforce, due to the persistent downturn in the advisory market. The losses will mainly come from the consulting and financial advisory divisions.
Read more »