Sir Christopher Chataway (1931-2014), politician, television journalist, track athlete, pacemaker in 1954 for Roger Bannister when he became the first person to run the mile in under 4 minutes.
Christopher Chataway is remembered as a fine athlete. During his lifetime he broke a number of world records, including in 1954 the 5,000 metres world record with a time of 13:51.6, and in 1955 in broke his own 3 mile world record with a time of 12:23.2
Christopher attended Sherborne School (Harper House 1944-1949) where he showed an early interest in running and, despite being told “You’re the wrong shape, son”, went on to break the School record for both the mile and the half mile.
In 1952 and 1956 Chataway represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games, and in 1954 was awarded the first BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Perhaps less well known is that in 1960 he was awarded the Nansen Refugee Medal for his part in organising the World Refugee Year campaign. The campaign raised tens of millions of dollars and is said to have inspired later campaigns such as Live Aid in 1985.
Sir Christopher Chataway was born on 31 January 1931 and died on 19 January 2014.
See also:
- Christopher Chataway (d 49): obituary
- Helsinki 1952 by Chris Chataway (pdf)
- Personal recollections of Christopher Chataway by James King (a 48)
- An interview with the Rt. Hon. Sir Christopher Chataway by Angus Cater (c 70), 2011
- Shirburnian Record Breakers
- Shirburnians & the Olympic Games
- Desert Island Discs castaways