The Salt Spring Island Historical Society
presents a special program on
The 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Over nine unforgettable summer days in Vancouver, the  1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games changed both BC and world sport forever. The Games will always be remembered for the Miracle Mile, the showdown between the first two men to break the four-minute barrier, England’s Roger Bannister and Australia’s John Landy. While Bannister and Landy unforgettably dueled in a race for the ages, an even more dramatic story seared itself into the memories of all who witnessed it. Just minutes after the Mile of the Century, England’s Jim Peters, the world record holder in the Marathon, entered Empire Stadium’s gates at the end of a brutal 26-mile run, 17 minutes ahead of the next runner. The once-raucous crowd was shocked into deathly silence, as Peters collapsed before reaching the finish line.
Other amazing feats happened during these game. Two young Salt Spring Island rowers, Tom Toynbee and Doug McDonald, helped an underdog novice Canadian eights rowing crew pull off the biggest upset in Games history, to win a gold medal for Canada.
On Wednesday, May 10, the Salt Spring Island Historical Society is pleased to present a special program that explores the tales of glory and grief of the 1954 Games. Jason Beck, Curator and Facility Director of the BC Sports Hall of Fame, a leading sports historian, and author of the best seller “The Miracle Mile”, will use rare archival photos and video to discuss the inside story of the Games. He will describe its organization, the venues built, including Empire Stadium, and some of the controversies that erupted. He will also delve into the stories of some of the key athletes, including Tom Toynbee and Doug McDonald.
The program takes place after the AGM meeting of the Historical Society, at 2:00 p.m. at Central Hall. All are welcome.
The program begins at 2:00 p.m. at Central Hall. All are welcome. |
