Chris Goudge

Chris Goudge
Personal information
Nationality England
Born4 March 1935
Prestwich
Died7 November 2010 (aged 75)
Devon

Christopher Edward Goudge (4 March 1935 Prestwich, Greater Manchester, England– 7 November 2010 Devon, United Kingdom) was a British athlete who competed in the 400m hurdles at the 1960 Summer Olympic Games in Rome.[1]

Early life

Goudge was born in Prestwich, Greater Manchester, England[1] where his father was an inspector for Lloyds Bank.[2] The family settled in Bolton where he attended Bolton School.[3] While doing national service with the Royal Tank Regiment he also represented them as a runner. He studied physics at UMIST, also playing clarinet and representing the University in athletics.[2]

Sporting career

He joined Bolton Harriers running club[1] and achieved early success in the high jump, winning the senior Lancashire event while still a junior. He also became successful as a runner and hurdler; in 1957 he was a member of the silver medal-winning British team in the 4x400m relay at the World Student Games[4] and the following year he represented England at the Cardiff Commonwealth Games in the 440m hurdles.[5][6] He held the English record for this title between 1958 and 1964, also being selected to compete in the 400m hurdles at the 1960 Rome Olympics.[2] He ran 52.6 in the third heat, finishing fourth, which turned out to be insufficient to qualify him for the semi-finals. He was unfortunate in that it was the first three to qualify in the heat and he had the two USA athletes Glenn Davis who went on to win the gold medal and Clifton Cushman who went on to win the silver in his heat. Glenn Davis is believed to be the greatest 400m runner of all time winning the 400m hurdles gold in 1956 and 1960 and was a member of the gold medal winning 4x400m relay team also in 1960. For good measure he was at one time world record holder in the 400m flat event.[7]

Post-Olympics and legacy

Goudge and his wife Elizabeth had two children, Caroline and Jonathan. The rest of his life was spent teaching physics until his retirement in 1995, when he moved to Devon. He is commemorated in Bolton as part of the "Spirit of Sport" statue on De Havilland Way.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Chris Goudge Biography and Olympic Results". www.sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  2. ^ a b c d "Chris Goudge obituary". The Guardian. London. 24 November 2010. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  3. ^ "Distinguished Old Boys – Former Pupils". Bolton School. Retrieved 6 December 2010.[permanent dead link‍]
  4. ^ "British Medallists in World Student Games (Universiade)". www.gbrathletics.com. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  5. ^ "Athletes and results". Commonwealth Games Federation.
  6. ^ "1958 Athletes". Team England.
  7. ^ "Athletics at the 1960 Roma Summer Games: Men's 400 metres Hurdles". www.sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 6 December 2010.