John Boulter

Although born in Essex, John Boulter was educated at Bolton Grammar School in Lancashire before going to The Queen´s College, Oxford, where he became an athletics Blue. Boulter was the British Universities´ 880 yards champion in 1963 and 1964, and in the first of those years won silver in the 800 metres and 4x400 relay gold at the Summer Universiade at Porto Alegre, Brazil. In 1964 Boulter went to the Tokyo Olympics where he was narrowly eliminated in the semi-final of the 800 metres.

Having finished third in the AAA 880 in 1965 and 1966, Boulter won the title in 1967 before another third place in 1968. At the White City in an international against Russia in June 1966, Boulter set a UK national 880 record of 1:45.5. Four days later, along with Graeme Grant, Mike Varah, and Chris Carter, the quartet set a world 4x880 yards record of 7:14.6. In 1966 Boulter finished sixth in the 800 at the European Championships at Budapest but was eliminated in the 880 semi-final at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Kingston, Jamaica. Two years later Boulter went to his second Olympics at Mexico City to face further semi-final elimination, in the 1500 metres.

By profession Boulter was originally a schoolmaster and later became chairman of the British International Athletes´ Club. In 1972 Boulter joined adidas in France, eventually becoming the company´s worldwide promotions director. In 1986 he was offered the post of general secretary of the BOA (British Olympic Association) but turned it down on the grounds that it meant moving from the North of England and he could not afford to buy a house close to the London HQ of the Association. He decided to remain with adidas instead. Boulter was a consultant to the Organising Committee for the 2012 London Olympics bid.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:46.51 (1966); 1500 – 3:40.4 (1964).