The reason sport is attractive to many of the general public is that it's filled with reversals. What you think may happen doesn't happen. A champion is beaten, an unknown becomes a champion.

We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves

My introduction to track racing was through the background of cross country running, which is not a sport perhaps as popular in America as it is in England.

It is a paradox to say the human body has no 'limit.' There must be a limit to the speed at which men can run. I feel this may be around 3:30 for the mile. However, another paradox remains - if an athlete manages to run 3:30, another runner could be found to marginally improve on that time.

My concentration was really on getting to university and becoming a doctor. My parents let me know that school marks were important. Achievement was something which came by hard work.

I couldn't touch my toes with straight legs, but I could break 4 minutes for the mile.

The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win.