Paul Vallé

Paul Vallé first posted notice of his sprinting ability as a 17-year-old in 1944, when he won the 100 yards handicap race at a meeting at Worthing, which included a host of international athletes. After going to Southampton University, he represented the English Universities in a match against their Scottish counterparts in 1946, and the following year won the Inter-Counties 220 yards title, representing Middlesex. Also in 1947, Vallé joined the Army as an officer cadet. Selected for the 200 metres at the 1948 Olympics, he was the first member of the Enfield AC to become an Olympian. At Wembley, he won his opening heat with ease, and then qualified for the semi-finals after squeezing into third place behind Herb McKenley and the eventual silver-medalist Barney Ewell in the quarters. In the semi-final, however, Vallé finished a disappointing sixth, and last.

Personal Best: 200 – 21.6 (1948).