John Landy

Education

Born in Melbourne, John Landy attended Malvern Memorial Grammar School and Geelong Grammar School. He graduated from Melbourne University in 1954, receiving a Bachelor of Agricultural Science.

Athletics

During his school years, Landy enjoyed watching middle distance track events. He became a serious runner during his college years, joining the Geelong Guild Athletic Club in 1949. He was a member of the Australian Olympic team at both the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki and 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. He took the Olympic Oath at the 1956 Olympics.

On 21 June 1954, at an international meet at Turku, Finland, Landy became the second man, after Roger Bannister, to achieve a sub-4-minute mile, recording a world record time of 3:57.9, ratified by the IAAF as 3:58.0 owing to the rounding rules then in effect. That record held for more than three years.

Worldwide, Landy is probably best known for his part in a mile race in the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, held at Vancouver, British Columbia. Landy ran his second sub-4-minute mile in the race, but lost to Roger Bannister, who had his best-ever time. This meeting of the world's two fastest milers was called "The Miracle Mile", the "Race of the Century" and the "Dream Race"; it was heard over the radio by 100 million people and seen on television by millions more. On the final turn of the last lap, as Landy looked over his left shoulder, Bannister passed him on the right. A larger-than-life bronze sculpture of the two men at this moment was created by Vancouver sculptor Jack Harman in 1967 from a photograph by Vancouver Sun photographer Charlie Warner and stood for many years at the entrance to Empire Stadium; after the stadium was demolished the sculpture was moved a short distance away to the Hastings and Renfrew entrance of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) fairgrounds. In 2015 it returned to the site of the stadium. Regarding this sculpture, Landy quipped that "While Lot's wife was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back, I am probably the only one ever turned into bronze for looking back."

In Australia, Landy is remembered for his performance in the one mile final at the 1956 Australian National Championships prior to the Melbourne Olympic Games. In the race, Landy stopped and doubled back to check on fellow runner Ron Clarke after another runner clipped Clarke's heel, causing him to fall early in the third lap of the race. Clarke, the then-junior mile world record holder, who had been leading the race, got back to his feet and started running again; Landy followed. Incredibly, in the final two laps Landy made up a large deficit to win the race, something considered one of the greatest moments in Australian sporting history. Said the National Centre for History and Education in Australia, "It was a spontaneous gesture of sportsmanship and it has never been forgotten." Sculptor Mitch Mitchell created a bronze sculpture of the moment when Landy helps Clarke to his feet. It has recently been moved from the north west corner of Punt Road and Swan Street to Olympic Park, Melbourne.

Governor of Victoria

On 1 January 2001, Landy was sworn in as the 26th Governor of Victoria, succeeding Sir James Gobbo. He was appointed by Premier of Victoria Steve Bracks, who remained premier throughout his term.

On 15 March 2006, in the final month of his term as governor, John Landy was the final runner in the Queen's Baton relay during the 2006 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony at the MCG stadium in Melbourne, presenting the baton to the Queen by placing it in its specially constructed holder.

He retired as governor on 7 April 2006, being succeeded by Professor David de Kretser.

Other accomplishments

John Landy worked as senior manager at ICI Australia, and had a successful public speaking career. For eight years (1971–78) Landy served on the Victorian Land Conservation Council, contributing to debates and recommendations about the balanced use of public land across Victoria. An avid naturalist, Landy has written two books on natural history.

He was Commissioner-General for the Australian exhibit at Expo 92.

On 12 February 2009 Landy was appointed the chair of the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund Advisory Panel. He stood down from the position on 7 September that same year.

Honours and awards

In 1955, John Landy was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to sport, was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000, and in 2001 he was awarded the Centenary Medal, made a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) and a Knight of Grace of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. In 2006 he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) during the Queen's visit to Australia.

He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985.

Over the years, Landy has been awarded numerous honorary degrees, the first being a Doctor of Laws from the University of Victoria in 1994. Then, in 1997, a Doctor of Rural Science from the University of New England, followed by a Doctor of Laws from the University of Melbourne in 2003 and Doctor of Laws from Deakin University in 2009.

On 12 July 2008, John Landy was the guest speaker at his club's Centenary Dinner held at North Geelong. Landy has been a Life Member of the Geelong Guild Athletic Club since April 1958. Named after Landy, Landy Field in South Geelong is the Geelong region's major athletic facility.

East Doncaster Secondary College has a VCE centre dedicated in Landy's honour.

In media

In the 1988 television mini-series The Four Minute Mile, detailing the rivalry between Landy and Roger Bannister, John Landy was portrayed by actor Nique Needles.

Personal life

Landy married his wife, Lynne, in 1971, and they have two children, Matthew and Alison.