Tommy Godwin (cyclist, born 1920) facts for kids

Thomas Charles Godwin (born November 5, 1920 – died November 3, 2012) was a British track cyclist. He was very active in the 1940s and 1950s. Tommy held national records and competed in other countries. After his racing career, he became a coach, team manager, and leader in cycling.

In 2010, he was chosen to be an ambassador for the 2012 London Olympics. In 2012, when he was 91 years old, he carried the Olympic torch. He carried it through his hometown of Solihull.

Tommy's Early Life and Cycling Start

Godwin was born in Connecticut, USA, in 1920. His parents were British. His family moved back to Britain in 1932. His first bike was a delivery bike from Wrenson's. He used it to run errands for a local grocery store.

He became interested in cycling because of the 1936 Summer Olympics. He was inspired by Arie van Vliet's riding. Another hero was British champion W. W. Maxfield. Tommy started racing three years later. He rode the fastest 1,000-meter race of the season. He was invited to tryouts for the next Olympics. This happened even before he had won a race.

He won a 1,000-meter race in Coventry in July 1939. But his chances for the Olympics ended because of the Second World War. He worked as an electrician during the war. This was a special job that kept him from fighting. He worked for BSA. There were not many cycling competitions during the war.

Winning National Championships

More sports events started happening in Britain from 1943. Godwin was unbeatable in five-mile races. He won the Cattlow Trophy in Manchester in 1943 and 1944. In the national championship of 1944, Tommy won the five-mile race. He won this race again in 1945. He also won the 25-mile title in 1945 and kept it in 1946. In 1949, he won the 4000-meter event. He also won the BSA Gold Column award. This was given by his employers for winning a race in London in 1945.

Competing After the War

His win in London impressed many people. He was invited to race in Paris. This was the first international race after the war ended. Tommy felt it was a great honor.

Olympic Medal Success

At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, Godwin won two bronze medals. He won one in the team pursuit event. His teammates were Robert Geldard, Dave Ricketts, and Wilfrid Waters. He won another bronze in the 1,000-meter time trial.

Preparing for the team pursuit was tough. But after a slow start, they greatly improved their time. They won the bronze medal. Their time was even faster than the team that won gold.

He also came third in the 1,000-meter race. This was at the 1950 British Empire Games.

Life After Racing

After his racing career, Tommy Godwin continued to be involved in cycling. He managed the British cycling team. This was at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He later became the president of the British Cycling Federation. He also led the Solihull Cycling Club.

Coaching and Mentoring

Tommy started the first British training camp in Majorca, Spain. He also set up the first track cycling course at Lilleshall. He was Britain's first paid national coach. He trained many British track riders. Many of them won national and international titles and medals. Some of his students included Graham Webb and Mick Bennett. Graham Webb broke the British hour record. Mick Bennett won bronze medals at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics.

From 1936 to 1950, he worked for BSA. For 36 years, starting in 1950, he owned a bike shop. It was located in the Kings Heath area of Birmingham. His life story, It Wasn't That Easy: The Tommy Godwin Story, was published in 2007.

Tommy and the 2012 London Olympics

Tommy Godwin was an ambassador for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. In July 2010, he appeared on a BBC show. He talked about the new velodrome being built. He showed his two Olympic bronze medals during the interview.

When he was 91 years old, he was chosen to carry the Olympic Torch. He carried it for 300 meters through Solihull on July 1, 2012.

Tommy Godwin passed away in Solihull on November 3, 2012.