Peter Reed

Long jumper Peter Reed took up the event as a 15-year-old schoolboy in 1958. He also played rugby and represented his school in the National Schools Sevens at Rosslyn Park. Reed finished second in the 1961 English Schools` Athletic Championships with 6.71m and then missed nearly two years jumping after injuring a heel shortly after setting a UK under-19 record in 1962. After getting special heel caps from the USA, however, he won the first of four successive Surrey titles in 1964, and that same year also made his Great Britain début.

After going to London University as a science student, Reed won the 1965 and 1967 British Universities long jump title. He was also selected for the World Student Games (Summer Universiade) in those same two years. Reed then went to the 1968 Mexico Olympics, but it was a disaster as he was placed last of the 35 starters after registering three “no jumps”. He quit serious athletics after the Games.

After leaving London University, Reed did his post-graduate course at Leicester before taking up the post of chemistry master at Henley Grammar School, where he was also in charge of his second sporting love, rugby. Reed’s wife Sylvia, who he married just two months before the Mexico Olympics, taught physical education at the same school.

Personal Best: LJ – 7.62 (1968).