A Statement on the death of John Landy
From World Athletics president Sebastian Coe.
“Our world is poorer without John Landy in it. I was privileged to know him well. He was a charming, kind and decent man who just happened to be one of the great pioneers of the golden age of middle distance running in the 1950s. He lit the spark that led to the legendary chase for the four-minute mile between 1952 and 1954 and was one of the main protagonists in that quest. Ultimately Roger Bannister got there first but was also the first to recognise that Landy’s excellence inspired him to reach that historic landmark. Landy followed up by breaking Bannister’s world record in Finland just six weeks later. Their race for the world record and their iconic meeting at the 1954 Vancouver Commonwealth Games captured the imagination of the world and did more to globalise our sport than any other event of that era. He maintained his huge enthusiasm for athletics right to the end and was one of its great ambassadors. Our sport owes him a huge debt. I am deeply saddened by his passing and, on behalf of World Athletics, I send my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and to the wider athletics community for whom he was such a beloved figure.”
By World Athletics
Posted: 26/2/2022
