Jack London

Jack London was a superb natural athlete who clocked 10 second in his first 100y race and cleared 6-2 (1.88) in the high jump without any special training. Although he had yet to win an AAA title, he failed to win the 1928 Olympic 100m by less than a metre, after equaling the Olympic record of 10.6 in winning his semi-final. At the Southern Championships, he won the 100y (1926, 1928), 220y (1926), and high jump (1927). He was even more successful at the UAU Championships, winning both the 100y and 220y four times (1925-28), high jump (1925-26), and shot (1926), for a total of 11 titles. Born in British Guiana, he was brought to England when he was three months old and remained for the rest of his life. After reaching the final of the AAA 100y for the last time in 1930, he retired from track and pursued a moderately successful career on the stage and in films. In 1948 he wrote an instructional book aimed at the younger athlete. He was the first Briton to use starting blocks and was initially coached by Sam Mussabini, and later by Albert Hill.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.9 (1926/28); 100 – 10.6 (1928); 200 – 22.2 (1928); HJ – 1.88 (6-2) (1927).