Allan Wells

Allan Wipper Wells (born May 3, 1952) is a former Scottish athlete.

Related Topics:
May 3 - 1952 - Scottish - Athlete

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Born in Edinburgh, Wells was initially a triple jumper and long jumper and started to concentrate on the sprint events in the early 1970s. In 1978, he won two gold medals (200 m, 4 x 100 m) and a silver one (100 m) at the Commonwealth Games, and became the fastest sprinter in the UK.

Related Topics:
Edinburgh - Triple jump - Long jump - 1970s - 1978 - Commonwealth Games - UK

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Wells never used the starting blocks until a rule change forced him to do so for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. Wells reached the final where he faced pre-race favourite Silvio Leonard of Cuba. In a close finish, both Wells and Leonard set a final time of 10.25 s, but Wells crossed the line slightly earlier to become the oldest Olympic 100 m champion at that time. The 200 m final was another close affair, but this time Wells lost to Pietro Mennea, who beat him by 0.02 s. With the British relay team, Wells finished 4th.

Related Topics:
1980 - Moscow - Olympics - Silvio Leonard - Cuba - Pietro Mennea

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In 1982, Wells won two more Commonwealth titles in the 100 m and 200 m, but he could no longer compete with the world's best sprinters. In 1984, his second Olympic appearance ended with the 100 m semi-finals.

Related Topics:
1982 - 1984

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