Roland Hardy (11 June 1926 – 14 June 2016) ^[1] was a British racewalker who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics and in the 1956 Summer Olympics. ^[2] He was born in Sheepbridge, Derbyshire. ^[3] Hardy was a five-time national champion in the 7 miles walk and a two-time national champion in the 2 miles walk. ^[4]

Biography

Hardy was born in Sheepbridge, Derbyshire, in June 1926. ^[2] At school, Hardy took part in both cricket and football. ^[2] In the latter, he was noticed by Sheffield United's manager Teddy Davison, who signed him to play for the side. ^[2] However, Hardy's National service stopped him from taking up a career in football. ^[2] In April 1949, Hardy began to take up race walking, where he joined the Sheffield United Harriers. ^[2] Later that year, Hardy won the 1949 Sheffield Star Walk, breaking the course record by 53 seconds. ^[5]

In August 1951, Hardy set a new world record in the 5-mile walk, beating the previous time by nine seconds, ^[2] and then broke the British 7-mile record one year later. ^[2] With this form, Hardy was selected to represent Great Britain at the Olympics. ^[6]

Hardy competed at two Olympic Games. ^[7] At the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Hardy took part in the men's 10 kilometres walk, but was disqualified in his heat. ^[8] Four years later, at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, he finished in eighth place in the men's 20 kilometres walk. ^[9]

He died in June 2016, in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, at the age of 90. ^{[10] [11]}

References

External links

• Roland Hardy at Olympedia
• Roland Hardy at Team GB