Colin Campbell (Olympian) Explained

Colin Campbell
Birth Date:20 June 1946

Colin William Ashburner Campbell (born 20 June 1946) is a British sportsman, who competed in track and field athletics and in the bobsled. He competed for Great Britain in the 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics, before moving to bobsled and competing at the 1976 Winter Olympics, becoming one of only a handful of British athletes to compete at both the Summer and Winter games.[1]

Biography

Born on the island of Jersey, Campbell was a sporty child who progressed through youth competitions to compete internationally in athletics for Britain.[2] As a middle-distance runner Campbell competed in the 400 meters and 800 metres. He reached the second round of the 400m in 1968 and broke the British record in qualifying for the 800m in 1972, though running with an injury he did not progress out of the first round. He also competed for England at the 1970 and 1974 Commonwealth Games.[3] [4] [5] He subsequently answered an advert calling for trialists for the British bobsleigh team and, having successfully competed in these, was selected for the 1976 four-man bob team, where Britain finished 13th.

Campbell retired to Jersey, where he was President of the Jersey Spartans Athletics Club for 15 years.[6] Professionally, he moved between careers in banking and managing athletics and tennis clubs on Jersey.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hope. Nick. Craig Pickering targets Sochi, Glasgow and Rio Games. BBC Sport. 12 October 2016.
  2. Web site: Jersey's Super Campbell – a unique Olympian. Bailiwick Express. 12 October 2016.
  3. Web site: 1970 Athletes. Team England.
  4. Web site: Edinburgh, 1970 Team. Team England.
  5. Web site: Athletes and results. Commonwealth Games Federation.
  6. Web site: Colin Campbell. The Power of 10. British Athlerics. 12 October 2016.