John Neill (pole vaulter)

John Neill
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Welsh)
Born13 February 1939[1]
Swansea, Wales
Died31 December 2021
Swansea, Wales
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Pole vault
ClubLondon Polytechnic

John Dewar Neill also called Dewar Neill (13 February 1939 – 31 December 2021) was a track and field athlete from Wales, who competed at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games (now Commonwealth Games).

Biography

Neill was educated at Chiswick Grammar School and was a member of the London Polytechnic Athletics Club.[2] He defeated Colin Fletcher in the pole vault event at the 1958 AAA Welsh championships and broke the Welsh record in the process.[3]

He represented the 1958 Welsh team[4] at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales,[5] where he participated in one event;[6] the pole vault event.[7]

At the time of the Games, he was serving his National Service with the Royal Air Force.[8] In 1959 he lived at 137 Gunnersbury Avenue in Acton and was chosen by the AAA for advanced coaching at Lilleshall.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Entry Information". Free BMD. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  2. ^ "They wear the Red Dragon". Western Mail. 18 July 1958. p. 25. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  3. ^ "A.A.A. Results". Western Mail. 23 June 1958. p. 9. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Britain's sprint hope in two Games events". Derby Daily Telegraph. 25 June 1958. p. 2. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "British Empire and Commonwealth Games". Rugby Relics. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  6. ^ "Wales Cardiff 1958". Commonwealth Games Federation. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  7. ^ Newham, C. E. (1958). The Official History of the VIth British Empire and Commonwealth Games. Organising Committee of the VIth British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
  8. ^ "Athletics Team". Western Mail. 18 July 1958. p. 33. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "Welsh boy pole vaults to stardom". Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette. 6 March 1959. p. 9. Retrieved 22 November 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.