The Vest of British  

After all these years it’s finally emerged that an Ilford AC member’s T-shirt crossed the finishing line at an Olympic Games in a silver-medal position.

PAUL NIHILL MBE HAS revealed he wore Ilford AC member FERGUS MURRAY’s T-shirt when coming 2nd in the 1964 Olympic Games 50 Kilometres’ Walk. Paul said that as he warmed-up it turned very cold and rain started teeming down. He realised his error in turning-up wearing just a GB representative singlet. Ilford AC’s 2nd ever Olympian – 10,000 Metres’ runner Fergus Murray – was at the start to cheer on UK walkers. Paul saw Fergus and asked for his white t-shirt, which he quickly put under his singlet seconds before the “off”. Just under 4-and-quarter hours later the vest of Fergus sped over the finish line, in pouring rain, for a silver medal. The finish line was on a cinder tack – Toyko 1964 was the last Olympics held on cinders…and in 1964 a “traditional tape” was across the finish line, so winners knew they’d reached the end (unlike in the recent 2013 World Championship Women’s walk).

Result : 1. Abdon Pamich (Italy) 4.11.12.4
2. Paul Nihill (GB) 4.11.31.2
3. Invar Pettersson (Swe) 4. 14.17.4

Essex-born Paul has a connection with Ilford AC as he was guest speaker at our Annual Dinner & Dance when the late Pam Phillips was President and “Crazy Martin” provided one of the best disco displays ever seen. Sadly that year an Ilford AC training weekend was at a Norfolk Holiday camp, so many were away. Paul enjoyed his evening so much, he bought 2 tickets to attend our following year’s D&D!

DA