Alec Olney
British long-distance runner
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henry Alexander Olney also known as Alec Olney (4 January 1922 – 25 April 2017) was a British long-distance runner who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British (English) |
| Born | 4 January 1922 Hampstead, England |
| Died | 25 April 2017 (aged 95) Harrow, England |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | long-distance |
| Club | Thames Valley Harriers |
Biography
Born Henry Alexander Olney in Hampstead, he went by the name Alec and finished fifth in the English National Cross Country Championships in early 1947.[2] Olney then finished second behind Jef Lataster in the 3 miles event at the 1947 AAA Championships[3][4] and made his nternational debut against France.[2]
Olney was second again at the 1948 AAA Championships behind Wim Slijkhuis but by virtue of being the highest placed British athlete was considered the British 3 miles champion.[5] Shortly after his AAA success he represented the Great Britain team at the 1948 Olympic Games in London.[2]
In 1949, he won the Southern Counties Cross Country title and after finishing third at the 1949 AAA Championships[6] Olney married Beryl Thurley on 3 September 1949 in Willesden and the following year was on the podium again at the 1950 AAA Championships, runner-up behind Lucien Theys.[5]
Olney competed at the 1950 European Athletics Championships before taking up road racing.[2]
