The Race Walking world was saddened to hear of the death this week of Don Thompson, Britain’s 1960 Olympic 50km champion.

https://worldathletics.org/news/news/don-thompson-dies-aged-73

Thompson, who was 73, collapsed at home and later died in Frimley Park Hospital.

Besides his Rome triumph, he also won bronze in the 1962 European Championships in the 50km Race Walk.

Thompson was one of Britain’s most celebrated walkers in history and competed in an era when racewalking in this country was on a high.

Even today, 37 years after his best time at 50km, his name stands 18th on the UK all-time list with 4:12:19. It is four years since any British athlete went quicker than that time. The quickest time by a Briton this year is only 4:25:39.

A funeral service is provisionaly set for 1.30pm at Aldershot Crematorium on Wednesday 18 October.

Paul Halford and Tim Watt for the IAAF