Bannister Flying to U.S. to Tell How He Did It, Daily Racing Form, 1954-05-12

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Bqnnister Flying to U.S. ! To Tell How He Did It LONDON, England, May 11 UPO. Roger Bannister, the 25 -year-old British medical student who broke the four-minute mile barrier, left by plane for New York tonight to tell Americans how he did it. Bannister told reporters at London airport that he thinks he was able to run the long-sought-after "four-minute mile" because he forgot to be afraid of not being able to do it. "It seems to me the more you try without succeeding the less chance there is of making it because you become frightened," he said. "I had not raced for six months and had forgotten what some of the agony was like." Bannister will make radio and television appearances in the United States. The proceeds will go to charity. He said that he will return Saturday to watch the homecoming of Queen Elizabeth H. from her Commonwealth tour. He plans to race in a half-mile event at Motspur Park and hopes this summer to "come near" to Sydney Woodersons British half-mile record of 1149.2. American Mai Whitfield holds the worlds record with 1:48.8. Bannister traveled with only a small suitcase and a briefcase. He said the gray suit he had on is "the only one Im taking."


Persistent Link: https://drf.uky.edu/catalog/1950s/drf1954051201/drf1954051201_39_2
Local Identifier: drf1954051201_39_2
Library of Congress Record: https://lccn.loc.gov/unk82075800