International Track and Field Athlete. He achieved international recognition for his claim as being the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes. Born Roger Gilbert Bannister, into a working class family, his parents could not afford transportation to send him to school, so he ran instead. After choosing on a career in the medical field, he continued to elevate his greatness as a runner and became well-known in his native England. He was rewarded with a scholarship to attend Oxford University, where he pursued his medical degree. In 1948, Bannister declined to tryout for the Olympics held in his hometown of London. In 1952, he earned a spot on his team and produced a fourth place finish in the 1500 meter competition in Helsinki, Finland. He continued his studies at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, which left for a small quantity of opportunity to focus on his running. On May 6, 1954, while participating in an event for the Amateur Athletic Association, he established himself as the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, when he yielded a time of 3:59.4. At the time, it was considered an impossible feat to accomplish. On June 21, 1954, John Landy would become the second person to run a mile in under four minutes, as he bested Bannister with a 3:57.9 time. In August 1954, Bannister and Landy participated at the British Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada. Referred to as the "Mile of the Century", Bannister bested Landy with a 3:58.8 time versus 3:59.6. Bannister would go on to a lengthy career as a neurologist and neuroscience researcher. He was knighted in 1975, and published his autobiography "Twin Tracks" in 2014. He died of complications from Parkinson's disease.
International Track and Field Athlete. He achieved international recognition for his claim as being the first person to run a mile in less than four minutes. Born Roger Gilbert Bannister, into a working class family, his parents could not afford transportation to send him to school, so he ran instead. After choosing on a career in the medical field, he continued to elevate his greatness as a runner and became well-known in his native England. He was rewarded with a scholarship to attend Oxford University, where he pursued his medical degree. In 1948, Bannister declined to tryout for the Olympics held in his hometown of London. In 1952, he earned a spot on his team and produced a fourth place finish in the 1500 meter competition in Helsinki, Finland. He continued his studies at St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, which left for a small quantity of opportunity to focus on his running. On May 6, 1954, while participating in an event for the Amateur Athletic Association, he established himself as the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, when he yielded a time of 3:59.4. At the time, it was considered an impossible feat to accomplish. On June 21, 1954, John Landy would become the second person to run a mile in under four minutes, as he bested Bannister with a 3:57.9 time. In August 1954, Bannister and Landy participated at the British Empire Games in Vancouver, Canada. Referred to as the "Mile of the Century", Bannister bested Landy with a 3:58.8 time versus 3:59.6. Bannister would go on to a lengthy career as a neurologist and neuroscience researcher. He was knighted in 1975, and published his autobiography "Twin Tracks" in 2014. He died of complications from Parkinson's disease.
Bio by: C.S.
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CH · CBE · DM · FRCP
WORLD CHAMPION ATHLETE
Consultant Neurologist,
Queen Square, London
Pioneer in research of the
Automonic Nervous System
Master of
PEMBROKE COLLEGE, OXFORD
First to break the
Four Minute Mile Barrier,
Oxford, 1954
Devoted & loved husband of
MOYRA
Fond father of four,
grandfather of fourteen
and great grandfather
Family Members
Spouse
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