John's Story
1930 -
John Landy’s life, including his athletics career, deserves many more words. He competed at Helsinki 1952 with limited success. Within two years, he was vying to be the first man to break the magical four-minute barrier for the mile. Roger Bannister beat him to that distinction, but less than seven weeks later Landy was the second man through the four-minute mark in setting a world record of 3 min 58.0 sec. That record stood for three years. Bannister defeated him in the famous mile race at the 1954 Vancouver Empire and Commonwealth Games.
At Melbourne 1956, Landy took the Olympic Oath during the opening ceremony and then gallantly won the bronze medal in the 1500 metres, behind Ronnie Delaney (Ireland) and Klaus Richtzenhain (Germany). The German team at Melbourne comprised representatives from West and East Germany, with Richtzenhain being from East Germany. Post athletics, the humble Landy became a wonderful servant to sport, industry and the community which culminated in a 5-year period (2001-2006) as Governor of Victoria. Towards the end of his gubernatorial term, the 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in his beloved Melbourne.
