Who accomplished the feat of running a mile in under 4 minutes in 1954?
Breaking the four-minute mile was a huge deal in the world of athletics. For years, people thought it was physically impossible for a human to run a mile that fast. It was considered a major barrier, both physically and psychologically. Then, in 1954, Roger Bannister, a British athlete and medical student, achieved the impossible. On May 6th, at Iffley Road track in Oxford, he ran a mile in 3 minutes and 59.4 seconds. This achievement captured the public's imagination and made Bannister a national hero. While Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Chris Hoy are celebrated British Olympians, they are famous for rowing and cycling respectively, and Sir Jackie Stewart is a Formula One legend. None of them are associated with running, let alone the iconic four-minute mile. Bannister's accomplishment was a landmark moment in sports history, demonstrating the power of human determination and pushing the boundaries of what was thought possible.
Don't confuse with other knights. Think of Bannister's memorable run on the Bannister (or track).