John Regis

A powerful, muscular runner with a physique that earned him the affectionate nickname of “Johnny Two Chests”, it is a little surprising to discover that John Regis began his athletic career as a triple jumper. Whilst still a teenager in 1986 he set the fastest 200 metre time of the year by a European though he still lacked the consistency to succeed at championship level. This changed the following year and he led the final of the 200 metres at the World Championship in Rome for all but the final few metres and took home a bronze medal. Regis could not pass the semi-finals at the Seoul Olympics but did win a silver medal as part of the sprint relay quartet. He was world indoor champion over 200 m in 1989 and then had probably his best season in 1990. Starting with relay gold and an individual 200 silver representing England at the Commonwealth Games he proceeded to become the first man to win four medals at a single European Championships. Regis won the 200 and was a part of the victorious 4×400 relay team whilst also adding silver in the sprint relay and bronze over 100. Although he rarely ran individual 400 metre races he became a valuable member of the British 4×400 relay team and helped them become world champions in 1991 and Olympic bronze medallists in Barcelona.

He again came close to a world championship 200 m title in 1993 when, although he broke 20 seconds, he was beaten into second place by Namibian Frankie Fredericks. Regis also added another silver medal in the sprint relay. He broke the British record at altitude in July 1994 but missed the European Championships due to injury and was again edged out by Fredericks at that year’s Commonwealth Games. He reached the final of the 1995 World Championships but began to be troubled with injuries and, barring a return to the medal podium at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, his days near the top of the rankings gradually came to an end.

Regis made an unsuccessful attempt to make the 2002 Winter Games in the four-man bobsleigh before concentrating on his sports management business. He was partner with Linford Christie in the Nuff Respect agency before branching out with his own company. The Regis family encompasses a number of sportsmen and sportswomen in addition to John. His wife, Jenny Stoute is a fellow Olympic relay medallist whilst his niece Yasmine has represented Great Britain as a triple jumper. Cyrille Regis, a cousin, played football for England during the eighties and another cousin, Dave Regis, also played professional football.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.15 (1993); 200 – 19.87 (1994); 400 – 45.48 (1993).