‘Wonderful life’: Australian sporting icon John Landy dead at 91

Australian sporting icon John Landy, the second person to run a sub four-minute mile, has passed away aged 91 surrounded by family.

Australian Olympic great John Landy has passed away aged 91.

Landy, who had battled Parkinson’s disease for several years, died in his Castlemaine home on Thursday with his family by his side.

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“Dad passed away peacefully on Thursday surrounded by what he loved most, his family and the Australian bush,” son Matthew Landy told the Herald Sun.

“We are going to really miss him. He was not only a wonderful husband, but a wonderful father and he lived a wonderful life.

“We arrived on Sunday and had a few days with dad, he went peacefully, not in pain.

“It was a privilege to be his son and a privilege to be able to share some of his fascinating and wonderful life.

“He was a wonderful father and an amazing role model for my sister and I.”

John Landy was one of the truly great Australians. He ticked the boxes of achievement to inspire the nation across many fields. A wonderful life well lived. RIP.

— Shane Anderson (@Globalgallop) February 25, 2022

One of the greatest privileges I’ve ever had was to interview john Landy, the 2nd man to break the four minute mile.He epitomised what sport is about. I asked him if he ever he had any regrets “No,because I always tried my hardest.” We’ve lost a genuine icon, a gentleman athlete.

— NickMcCallum7 (@NickMcCallum7) February 25, 2022

A role model, and inspiration, and always a gentleman RIP John Landy…sad day for us all. pic.twitter.com/htJlMJBEWq

— Rob de Castella (@deek207) February 25, 2022

Landy was the second person to run a sub four-minute mile, achieving the feat at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver.

The champion middle-distance runner represented Australia at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics and 1956 Games in Melbourne, where he won a bronze medal in the 1500m event.

Landy held world records for the 1500m run and the mile race.

He cemented his name in Australian sporting folklore by helping fellow runner Ron Clarke to his feet after stumbling during the Australian mile championship at Olympic Park in 1956. Landy then reeled down the field and astonishingly won the race.

He also served as Governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006.

Australian sporting icon Cathy Freeman tweeted: “I’m saddened to learn of the passing of a giant of a man, John Landy. A true athlete, scholar and gentleman. Rest In Peace.”

Runner John Landy congratulates South Africa’s Jim Bailey after he won a special one-mile race.

Governor of Victoria John Landy carries the Queen's Baton during the Opening Ceremony for the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame John Bertrand described Landy as a humble champion.

“John’s most remembered feat was in the (1956) Australian championships when Ron Clarke fell over and John stopped to help him up, made sure he was OK, and then went on to win,” Bertrand said.

“That has been immortalised as a statue and the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame elevated John to legend status, particularly for that feat, in terms of the act of sportsmanship that captured not only the imagination of Australia, but of the sporting world as well.

“John was the most humble champion you would ever come across to the extent that when as Chairman of the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame I asked John whether he would be comfortable for us to elevate him from a Member to Legend status for that feat he said, ‘No’, he didn’t deserve it.

“Several months passed and I went back to him several times and eventually he said, ‘Yes, I will accept the award.’

“The stature of the man was just enhanced even further with that type of reaction in terms of the sportsmanlike manner in which he conducted himself and the humble nature of this world champion. He was highly intelligent, a deep thinker and his values were quite supreme which I think carried him through his life so well.”

Statement from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews

“There‘s a statue at Olympic Park dedicated to the spirit of sportsmanship. And it’s cast in the figure of a Victorian who embodies that spirit more than any other – John Landy. John lived a life like no one else ever could – a governor, an Olympian, a record breaker, and an athlete beyond compare.

“During his time as Governor, he always worked to ensure that those in power never lost sight of the Victorians they served. He held Government to account at every step, and his service helped make Victoria a fairer and stronger state. John was a man of many pursuits, but Victorians will remember him most proudly as the phenomenal athlete that he was.

“He was the first Aussie to ever break a four-minute mile, a world record holder for the 1500-metre, and the mile race too. But he‘s best known for the race that he stopped running. In 1956, at the Australian National Championships in Melbourne he stopped mid-race to check on Ron Clarke who had fallen and become injured. It was an act of mateship that stunned the world – an act that showed what a compassionate and principled man John was. And despite stopping, he went on to win the race anyway.

“He was a Legend of Australian Sport, and for decades his work and legacy helped inspire thousands of young athletes across the state and country. His service to our community is significant, and his contribution to sport and athletics is something every Victorian can be grateful for. John lived his values – a man of integrity – unwavering in his commitment to building up the best of our community.

“Our thoughts are with his wife Lynne, who he loved for over half a century – his children Matthew and Alison, and his grandchildren and extended family too. He will be farewelled in a private service in the coming weeks, and his family have accepted a State Memorial Service where Victorians can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state and community. Further details will be available in the coming weeks.”