DAVID LEAN (2018)

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DAVID FRANCIS LEAN (22 Aug 1935 – )

David was born in Launceston and educated at Launceston Church Grammar School. He became involved in athletics at a young age and showed exceptional talent, dominating school and club competitions.

In 1954, at the age of 18, David competed in his only Tasmanian open championships, winning all three hurdles events: the 120, 220, and 440 yards. From that point on, his trajectory was only upward. A month earlier, he had already won the National 440 yards hurdles crown in 53.0 seconds and finished second in the 220 yards hurdles in 24.5 seconds. This success earned him selection for the 1954 British Empire (now Commonwealth) Games in Vancouver, Canada.

In Vancouver, facing serious competition and still shy of his 19th birthday, David won the gold medal in the 440 yards hurdles in 52.4 seconds, after setting a personal best of 52.3 in the heats. Two days later, he finished fifth in the 120 yards hurdles. He then joined Australia’s makeshift teams in the 4×110 and 4×440 yards relays, both of which finished third, leaving the young Tasmanian with three medals, including a gold, at his first international outing.

His performances in Vancouver caught the attention of Karl Schlademan, the track coach at Michigan State University. In 1955, David began his academic studies there. It was a quiet year for him in athletics, but he returned to top form during the U.S. domestic season in 1956. He wisely returned to Australia for the Olympic Trials in October in Melbourne, where he finished second in 52.0 seconds, the same time as winner Geoff Goodacre, securing his selection for the Olympics.

At the iconic Melbourne Olympics, David ran in the very first track race of the Games—heat one of the 400m hurdles—against the favorite, Glenn Davis (USA). David finished second in a personal best of 51.4 seconds (51.55), behind Davis’ 51.3. The following day, in the semi-finals, he again finished second in 51.4 (51.45), behind another American, Josh Culbreath, who won in 50.9.

The final took place the same day, where David finished fifth in 51.8 (51.93), behind an American clean sweep of Davis, Eddie Southern, and Culbreath. This marked the first time a Tasmanian had competed in an Olympic final.

David then joined Kevan Gosper, Graham Gipson, and Leon Gregory in the 4x400m relay, leading to an even more remarkable achievement. The quartet won Australia’s first Olympic men’s relay medal—a silver—setting an Australian record time of 3:06.19. David ran an impressive 46.3 for the second leg. Their achievement stood unmatched for 48 years until it was emulated in 2004.

After the Olympics, David returned to his studies in Michigan, eventually earning both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Arts. However, his athletics career was not yet over, as he prepared for the 1958 British Empire Games in Cardiff, Wales.

David was determined to defend his title. In great shape, he won the British AAA’s title in 51.2 seconds, just a week before the Games, making him one of the favorites. The 440 yards hurdles event was contested over three rounds. David won his heat in 52.0 seconds before claiming the semi-final later that same day in 51.8 (51.81).

With the final scheduled three days later, David had a long wait. When the race finally took place, he ran superbly, securing a silver medal in a personal best of 50.6 (50.59). It took a world record to deny him back-to-back Commonwealth titles—South African Gert Potgieter, who had fallen at the last hurdle in Melbourne, won gold with a world record of 49.73.

David’s distinguished international career ended as he focused on his studies. During his time in the U.S., he became a four-time Big-Ten Champion, captained the Michigan State University track team, and was a member of their 1958 NCAA Cross-Country Championship team.

Later, David earned a PhD in Economics. He remained a U.S. resident and enjoyed careers as both an academic and a government economist with the Federal Trade Commission. In retirement, he composes music and plays jazz piano. He is honored in Tasmania as the vice-patron of Athletics Tasmania, alongside his 1956 teammate and Tasmania’s first female Olympian, Heather Innes.

His personal bests remain competitive even today, some 60 years after his retirement: 440 yards (48.1), 120 yards hurdles (14.8), 220 yards hurdles (24.1), and 440 yard hurdles (50.58). As of 2019, David still ranked in the top 25 on the Australian men’s list for the 400m hurdles.

Paul Jenes OAM
Life Governor, Athletics Australia
Athletics Australia Statistician
President, ATFS

Acknowledgements: David Lean; Official Reports of the 1954 and 1958 British Empire Games; Official Report of the 1956 Olympic Games; Athletics Statistics Olympic Book by Mark Butler; Athletics Australia Historical Results by Peter Hamilton, Paul Jenes, Fletcher McEwen, and David Tarbotton; Athletics at the Commonwealth Games by Rob Whittingham, Paul Jenes, and Stan Greenberg.

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