James Wilson (athlete)
Scottish athlete
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James Wilson (2 October 1891 – 1973) was a Scottish long-distance runner who specialised in the 10,000 metres.[4] He competed for Great Britain at the 1920 Summer Olympics and won a bronze medal in the 10,000 metres, five seconds behind Paavo Nurmi; Wilson beat Nurmi by some 5 seconds in the heats. He finished fourth in the individual 8,000 m cross-country race, again behind Nurmi, but won a silver medal with the British team. Nationally, Wilson won Scottish titles over 4 miles in 1914–20 and over 10 miles in 1920.[2]
James Wilson at the 1920 Olympics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 2 October 1891 Windsor, Berkshire, England[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 1973 (aged c. 81) London Borough of Brent, Great Britain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 60 kg (132 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event | 10,000 m | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Greenock Glenpark Harriers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal bests | Mile – 4:28.0 (1915) 4 miles – 20:22.4 (1920) 6 miles – 30:45.0 (1920) 10,000 m – 31:50.8 (1920) 10 miles – 52:04.4 (1920)[2][3] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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James and his twin brother John were the youngest of five children of Isabella and Robert Wilson, Scottish migrant workers in England. His father was a herdsman from Aberdeenshire. James and John were inspired to join the local athletics club by watching the 1908 Olympic marathon race that passed near their home. Later, when World War I broke out, John enlisted in the army and died from peritonitis in 1916, while James stayed at home earning his living as a metalworker. After the 1920 Olympics, he found a job as a mechanical engineer at the Neasden Power Station, which provided electricity to the Metropolitan Railways, and semi-retired from running. He resumed competing in 1923, when he joined Surrey Athletic Club, but never regained his past shape and retired for good in 1925.[1]
Wilson was married to Annie Williams. He died from bowel cancer aged 81–82.[1]
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