Bill Nankeville facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  Great Britain |
||
| European Championships | ||
| Bronze | 1950 Brussels | 1500 m |
George William Nankeville (born March 24, 1925 – died January 8, 2021) was a famous British middle-distance runner. He was very good at the mile race, winning the AAA mile championship four times. He achieved this between 1948 and 1952. His best time for the mile was 4 minutes and 8.8 seconds in 1949. George Nankeville was born in Guildford, Surrey, England.
Life and Running Career
George Nankeville was born on March 24, 1925. His father was a milkman, and George grew up in a working-class family. He was a natural runner from a young age. He raced even before joining an athletics club and did not have a coach at first.
In 1944, during World War II, George joined the army. Before that, he had worked for three years making parachute containers and petrol tanks in Woking. While in the army, he served in places like Brussels, Belgium, and Hamburg, Germany. He also took part in the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, helping to free people held there.
After the war, George Nankeville became a top athlete. In 1948, he won his first AAA mile title. He went on to win this title three more times. That same year, he represented Great Britain at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom. He ran in the 1500 metres race and finished in sixth place.
Two years later, in 1950, he won a bronze medal. This was at the 1950 European Athletics Championships in Brussels. He finished third in the 1500 metres event.
In 1952, George won another AAA mile title. This race took place at the White City Stadium in London. A huge crowd of 46,000 people watched, including Queen Elizabeth II.
George Nankeville also helped set world records in relay races. On August 1, 1953, he, Don Seaman, Roger Bannister, and Chris Chataway set a world record. They ran the 4x1 mile relay in 16 minutes and 41 seconds. Later, on September 23, 1953, he set another world record. This was for the 4x1500 metres relay, with Ralph Dunkley, David Law, and Gordon Pirie. They finished in 15 minutes and 27.2 seconds.
George was good friends with Roger Bannister. Roger Bannister later became famous for breaking the Four-minute mile barrier. George and Roger remained friends and spoke often until Roger's death in 2018.
Besides running, George Nankeville had other jobs. He worked for a company that made sports equipment. He also owned three discount stores and was a wholesaler. In 1956, he wrote a book called The Miracle of the Mile. This book shared the story of how Roger Bannister achieved the sub-four-minute mile.
George Nankeville was married to Janet for 63 years. She passed away in 2010. He was also the father of the television impressionist Bobby Davro. George Nankeville passed away in January 2021 at the age of 95.
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See also
In Spanish: William Nankeville para niños
