Olympic Badge – Jim Bailey (Athletics)

Description

Badge measures 3cm in diameter.

James John Bailey was an Australian middle distance runner.  He reached semi finals of the 800 metres event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.  He would become the first of a string of sub four minute milers under the coaching of University of Oregon Bill Bowerman – the first man to do so on American soil.  Bailey was ranked the number three miler in the world in 1956.  He played professional rugby in Australia after retiring from competitions.  He died in March 2020, aged 90.