Personal information | |
---|---|
Born | 19 January 1928 Lindfield, New South Wales, Australia |
Died | 23 July 2012 (aged 84) Taren Point, New South Wales, Australia |
Education |
North Sydney Boys High School Wesley College University of Sydney |
Sport | |
Sport | Athletics |
Event(s) | 100 m, 200 m |
Achievements and titles | |
Personal best(s) | 100 m – 10.5 (1948) 200 m – 21.1y (1946) [1] |
Medal record |
John Francis Treloar AM (19 January 1928 – 23 July 2012) was a track and field athlete, who is considered to have been one of Australia's greatest male sprinters. He was ranked as one of the world's fastest men between 1947 and 1952. A triple gold medallist at the 1950 British Empire Games, Treloar made the 100 m final at the 1952 Summer Olympics finishing sixth – just 0.1 s behind the winner – in the closest finish in Olympic history. [2]
In his career, Treloar won a total of six Australian championships at 100 or 220 yards. [3]
Treloar died on 23 July 2012. His son notified the Australian Olympic Committee of his father's death on 23 July; in this notification he stated that "Dad passed away exactly as he ran. Quickly." [4]
In 2000, Treloar was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for "(o)utstanding service as an Olympic athlete and since then as an administrator and event organiser." [5]
Treloar was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2001. [6]
In 2011, his old school, North Sydney Boys High School named their recently refurbished gymnasium in his honour. [7]
Following Treloar's death, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Minister for Sport Kate Lundy issued a joint press release which stated that Treloar "will always be remembered as a remarkable trailblazer for athletics in this country". [8]
Treloar's funeral was later held at his old school, North Sydney Boys High School by request of his family.
Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing Australia | |||||
1948 | Olympics | London, England | 4th, SF 2 | 100 m | |
1948 | Olympics | London, England | 4th, SF 2 | 200 m | |
1952 | Olympics | Helsinki, Finland | 6th | 100 m | 10.5/10.91 |