DA's Australian Sports History

John Landy.

A champion athlete, a champion person.

The second man to break four minutes for the mile - a feat that was once considered impossible to achieve.

That set up a match race at the 1954 Vancouver Empire Games against Roger Bannister of England. A race where both runners were to run under the four minute mark again.

But John Landy is remembered just as much for his sportsmanship. It was epitomised in a race in 1956, when John r...

Clive Churchill was one of the greatest Rugby League players of all time.

He captained the South Sydney Rabbitoh's, NSW and the Australian Kangaroo's.

For South Sydney, he played in five premiership teams and coached another four flags.

He played in the famous test match of 1950, where Australia broke a drought of series losses against the Great Britain Lions dating back 28 years.

Amazingly ...... he stood just 170 cm tall.

But Clive C...

Merv Wood is one of Australia' finest ever Olympians having competed in four Olympic Games. It would no doubt have been more had the Olympic Games not been cancelled in 1940 & 1944, when Merv would been at his best.

He has won Gold, Silver & Bronze medals at different Olympic Games.

Twice Merv was given the honour of being the flag carrier for Australia at the opening ceremony of the Games.

Quite apart from his sporting career...

Russell Mockridge was a two times gold medalist at the Helsinki Olympic Games in 1952.

He won both his events on the one day.

Yet he may never have competed at those games, having been deselected by the Australian Olympic Federation. It was only after Sir Hubert Opperman made representations in Parliament and the City of Geelong posted a bond, that Russell was allowed to compete.

In a tragic episode, Russell Mockridge was killed when ...

Majorie Jackson broke world records and won Olympic & Commonwealth Games gold medals in sprints & relays, but that is only part of her story and legacy.

Marjorie was much adored for her reserved and humble nature. This was particularly so in her home town of Lithgow where the locals supported and encouraged her, including building her a cinder track on which she could train.

She married fellow Olympian, cyclist Peter Nelson...

Today we revisit Australian tennis in the late 1940's and early 1950's via the feats of Frank Sedgman. Our main focus is the year 1951.

With our recency bias we often don't stop to recall that Frank won 22 Grand Slam titles (including doubles & mixed doubles) in a five year period.

He won the Grand Slam of doubles with Ken McGregor and twice won the "triple crown" at a Grand Slam event - that is ....... winning the Singles, Doubl...

Dick Reynolds played and/or coached the Essendon Football Club (the Bombers) in the Australian Rules Football competition - then known as the Victorian Football League (VFL) during the 1930's, 40's & 50's.

With 3 Brownlow medals, 7 Essendon FC best & fairest awards and 4 premierships, he is properly remembered as one of the greatest players of all time - some would say the best.

He was skilful, fair and courageous. He had the...

Players ready ........ play

Today we look at the career of Neil Harvey. Arguably, Australia's greatest left hand batsman.

Starting as one of the "Invincible's" in 1948, his test career lasted until 1963.

He was one of the stars of the post Bradman era and a favourite of the Australian public given his sportsmanship and style of play. Also a brilliant fielder.

We look more closely at the tours of Sth Africa and the Ashes series which...

Today's episode of DA's Australian Sports History is simply an introduction as to the nature and purpose of the podcast.

It welcomes your interest and invites you to make any comment via "idealinsport@gmail.com"

As stated, the aim is to recall events and Australian athletes over time.

It is not a definitive history of Australian sport. It is a collection of sports stories which may have been forgotten over the years.

Trust you enjoy t...