Roger Bannister

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Roger Bannister (1929 – 2018) was a British middle-distance athlete and neurologist who will forever be remembered for his athletic prowess. On 6 May 1954, he became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes, a feat which had been considered impossible until then. His record-breaking time was 3:59.4.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Bannister was born in Harrow, England, on 23 March 1929. He attended University College School, before going on to study medicine at the University of Oxford's Exeter College. He later received his Master's degree from St Mary's Hospital Medical School, now part of Imperial College London.

Athletics career[edit | edit source]

Bannister's interest in running began at school, but it was during his time at Oxford that he started to train seriously. He first came to public attention in 1951 when he won the mile at the AAA Championships. His performance at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, where he finished fourth in the 1500 metres, set the stage for his record-breaking run two years later.

Medical career[edit | edit source]

After retiring from athletics, Bannister pursued a successful career in neurology. He worked at several hospitals in London, including the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and St Mary's Hospital. He also served as the Master of Pembroke College, Oxford from 1985 to 1993.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Bannister's sub-four-minute mile is considered one of the greatest achievements in athletics. His determination and dedication continue to inspire athletes around the world. In 2012, he was made an Honorary Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, in recognition of his contribution to sport and medicine.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


Roger Bannister Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD