Jimmy Carlton

Australian track sprinter Jimmy Carlton set multiple records in both his school and senior career before he retired from the sport to become a priest. Carlton showed his talent from a young age, winning several sprint races as a schoolboy. In 1925 and 1926 he had won multiple junior titles in New South Wales, and in 1927 he became the New South Wales senior champion in both the 100 and 220 yards. At the time the Australian national championships were held every two years, with Carlton doing the 100 and 220 yards double on three consecutive occasions (1928, 1930, 1932). He was selected to run in the 100 and 200 metres at the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics where he reached the quarter-finals in both races. Two years later Carlton earned a place on the Australian team for the 1930 British Empire Games but did not ultimately take part. He continued to compete during the early part of the 1930s, which saw him set national records in the 100 and 220 yards.

By 1932 Carlton had retired from athletics and become a priest, therefore ruling him out of competing at the Los Angeles Olympics. By 1945 he had left the priesthood to marry his wife, with the couple having two sons, with their oldest child Mike becoming a noted radio broadcaster in Sydney. Carlton then worked as a teacher before becoming a selector and coach for the New South Wales Amateur Athletic Association. Tragically he was only 42-years-old when he died in April 1951 from asthma at his home in Sydney.

Personal Bests: 100y – 9.6 (1930); 200 – 20.5y (1932).