As a 21-year-old, Wilfred Nichol was the sensation of the international meeting between England and France at Stamford Bridge in 1922 when he won his 100 metres heat in 11.2 seconds before finishing third in the final, by inches, behind the French brothers René and André Mourlon. Runner-up in the AAA 100y in 1923 and 1924, Nichol also placed third in the 220y in 1924. His second place in the 1923 100y was the finest performance of his career. After clocking 9.9 in the semi-finals, he finished only two feet behind Eric Liddell’s new British record of 9.7 in the final. And just a week later he was again beaten by Liddell by inches in the triangular England, Scotland and Ireland match at Stoke-on-Trent. Also in 1923, Nichol won the 100 metres in the International match against France in Paris. He finished second to Harold Abrahams when Abrahams equalled the world 100y record of 9.6 at the Inter Club meeting at Woolwich in 1924. As it was wind assisted, Abrahams’ record was never ratified. In 1926 Nichol was appointed the first Honorary Secretary on the formation of Nottinghamshire AAA.
Personal Bests: 100y – 9.8e (1923); 100 – 11.0 (1923/24); 220y – 22.1e (1923).
Great Britain