Alec Olney

Alec Olney
Personal information
NationalityBritish (English)
Born4 January 1922
Hampstead, England
Died25 April 2017 (aged 95)
Harrow, England
Sport
SportAthletics
Eventlong-distance
ClubThames Valley Harriers

Henry Alexander Olney also known as Alec Olney (4 January 1922 – 25 April 2017) was a British long-distance runner who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.[1]

Biography

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Born Henry Alexander Olney in Hampstead, he went by the name Alec and finished fifth in the English National Cross Country Championships in early 1947.[2] Olney then finished second behind Jef Lataster in the 3 miles event at the 1947 AAA Championships[3][4] and made his nternational debut against France.[2]

Olney was second again at the 1948 AAA Championships behind Wim Slijkhuis but by virtue of being the highest placed British athlete was considered the British 3 miles champion.[5] Shortly after his AAA success he represented the Great Britain team at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.[2]

In 1949, he won the Southern Counties Cross Country title and after finishing third at the 1949 AAA Championships[6] Olney married Beryl Thurley on 3 September 1949 in Willesden and the following year was on the podium again at the 1950 AAA Championships, runner-up behind Lucien Theys.[5]

Olney competed at the 1950 European Athletics Championships before taking up road racing.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Alec Olney". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d "Biographical Information". Olympedia. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  3. ^ "Great run follows air-taxi dash". Daily News (London). 19 July 1947. Retrieved 9 April 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Army man steals limelight and 2 titles". Daily News (London). 21 July 1947. Retrieved 9 April 2025 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ a b "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  6. ^ "AAA Championships (men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
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