John Walker (runner)

John George Walker (born January 12, 1952) was a middle distance runner from New Zealand.

Related Topics:
January 12 - 1952 - Middle distance - Runner - New Zealand

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Walker is best known for winning the Olympic Games 1500 metres in 1976. Unfortunately, this achievement was somewhat overshadowed because 22 African countries boycotted the games to protest against a tour of South Africa by the "All Blacks", the New Zealand national Rugby team. Walker had already achieved world prominence in 1974 when he ran 2nd to Filbert Bayi in the Commonwealth Games 1500m at Christchurch, where both runners beat the existing world record. Throughout his whole career as a world-class miler Walker was coached by Arch Jelley, school principal and middle distance runner himself, whose work with runners has been typified by meticulous training programmes on a scientific basis and effective communication in person.

Related Topics:
Olympic Games - 1976 - All Blacks

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Walker also held the world mile record with a time of 3:49.4 minutes set at Göteborg on August 12, 1975, bettering the previous time set by Filbert Bayi.

Related Topics:
Göteborg - August 12 - 1975 - Filbert Bayi

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The record lasted until July 17, 1979, when it was beaten by Sebastian Coe. Walker later became the first to run 100 sub 4 minute miles during his career. In 1996, Walker announced that he had Parkinson's disease.

Related Topics:
July 17 - 1979 - Sebastian Coe - 4 minute mile - 1996 - Parkinson's disease

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