Olympic Badge – John Landy (Athletics)

Description

Badge measures 3cm diameter.

John Landy was an Australian middle distance runner and state governor.  He was the second man to break the four minute mile barrier in the mile run and held the world records for the 1500 metre run and the mile race.  He won a bronze medal in the 1500 metre race at Melbourne Olympics.  He was the 26th Governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006. Died February, 2022 aged 91.

At the 1956 Australian Natonal Championships prior to the Melbourne Olympic Games, Landy stopped and doubled back to check on fellow runner Ron Clarke after anothe rrunner clipped Clarke’s heel, causing him to fall.  Landy had leaped to clear his body but scraped his spikes on Clarke’s shoulder.  Clarke had been leading the race.  Landy apologised, helped Ron to his feet and they both began running again.  In the final two laps Landy made up the deficit and won the race.  A sculpture depicting the moment features in Olympic Park, Melbourne.