This film is part of Free
Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1
We're off! Olympic training on the streets of Mansfield as local boy John Whetton prepares for the 1968 Mexico City games.
Overview
We're off! Olympic hopeful John Whetton hits the trails of Sherwood Forest and the pavements of Mansfield as he prepares to compete in the 1500m race at the 1968 Olympics. Whetton speeds gracefully through the deserted countryside, but you have to wonder if bustling shopping streets are the ideal place to set a new personal best.
A proficient middle-distance runner from a Nottinghamshire mining family, John Whetton began running at school and at Manchester University, competing in the mile and 1500m races. He took part in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was a three-times winner of the 1500m at the European Indoor Games between 1966 and 1968. He made it to the 1500m final at the Mexico games, where he finished fifth.
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