Sir Roger Bannister
The death of a great British hero 1929-2018
On May 6 1954 Sir Roger Bannister, who has died aged 88, achieved something which, even 64 years on, retains a unanswerable candidacy to be considered the single most important moment in British sporting history.
On an unseasonably chilly spring morning in Oxford he set out to prove that something that was widely reckoned beyond the capability of man could, through proper planning and skilful application, be accomplished. And with a brilliant flourish, he became the first person ever to run a mile in under four minutes.
In the process, that day he gave notice to the generations to come that, whatever we wish to accomplish, in whatever field or discipline, the impossible is nothing more than another obstacle along the way.
As Theresa May said, Bannister was a “British sporting icon whose achievements were an inspiration to us all. He will be greatly missed.”
The tale of what he did that day never pales in the retelling. For decades, the sub-four minute mile had seemed beyond human capability. Medical experts insisted that it would place such a strain on the body, even to attempt it was to risk death. The closest anyone had managed was 4.01.4 from Sweden’s Gunder Hagg in 1945. Like many, Bannister became obsessed with bettering the record, even turning down the opportunity to represent Britain at the
1952 Olympics in order to concentrate on achieving it. By the time he reckoned himself ready, he had left Oxford University and was working as a junior doctor in London.
He caught the train, made his way to the track on Iffley Road that would subsequently bear his name, and set off, cheered by an expectant roar from the crowd of some 3,000 gaberdineclad students.
He was supported by pacemakers Sir Christopher Chataway and Chris Brasher, the trio racing for the Amateur Athletic Association against three athletes from Oxford University. With little more than half a lap remaining Bannister burst past Chataway and kicked for the line, surging through the finishing rope before falling into the arms of his friend, the Rev Nicholas Stacey, breathless and exhausted.
Seconds later the stadium announcer, Norris Mcwhirter, delivered the news everyone had been waiting for. Though, showing the sense of drama which would serve him well later in life when he presented the television series Record Breakers, Mcwhirter made them wait a moment or two longer: “Result of Event Eight: One mile. First, RG Bannister of Exeter and Merton Colleges, in a time which, subject to ratification, is a new track record, British native record, British allcomers record, European record, Commonwealth record and world record – three minutes...”
The roars of the crowd drowned out the rest of the time (it was three minutes 59.4 seconds). And far from dying, the triumphant Bannister simply got changed, caught the train back to London and finished his shift as a junior doctor. It was as much that unflustered insouciance as his record that played down the generations.
“His achievement transcended sport, let alone athletics,” said Lord Coe, who broke the mile record three times in his own running career. “It was a moment in history that lifted the heart of a nation and boosted morale in a world that was still at a low ebb after the war. We have all lost a giant and, for many of us, a deep and close friendship.”
Steve Cram, another British mile world record holder, said: “To have Roger Bannister as a Brit having done that was something I used over the years to inspire me individually. I wanted to be a great British miler following in his footsteps.”
Four-time Olympic champion Sir Mo Farah added that Bannister was “always humble, supportive and encouraging” and “an inspiration”.
Women’s marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe tweeted: “Saddened to hear the news that we have lost one of the true pioneers, trailblazers and iconic inspirations of our sport. Sir Roger Bannister showed that barriers are there to be broken and there are no limits.”
And the thing about Bannister was that his run did not mark the end to his achievements. After retiring from athletics, he went on to enjoy a distinguished career as a neurologist, later becoming president of Pembroke College, Oxford. Tall, angular, a striking physical presence, he was a familiar sight around Oxford for years; warm, approachable, he was always chucklingly delighted to be reminded of his mile run. When the Olympic torch came to the city in 2012, he walked with it round the track where he had first sprung to international prominence. His smile shone brighter than the flame in his hand. For a man of his physical accomplishment to be struck by Parkinson’s in later life was a cruel blow. But he did not shy away, attending events in his wheelchair, marking the 60th anniversary of his run in 2014, remaining smilingly generous with his time.
“He was such a gentleman, so able to give encouragement to all the generations of athletes coming through and he’ll be so sorely missed,” said Jo Pavey, the former European 10,000m champion. “He’s left such an amazing legacy in our sport.”
That was clear as news of his death filtered through. Dozens of athletes were running round the Oxford track where he changed the world. His spirit burns strong there, for every one of those runners was dreaming of emulating Sir Roger Bannister.