John Barnes

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn Baird•Barnes
Used nameJohn•Barnes
Born12 October 1929 in Tulsa, Oklahoma (USA)
Died25 August 2004 in Suffolk, Virginia (USA)
Measurements183 cm / 72 kg
AffiliationsOccidental Tigers, Los Angeles (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

John Barnes ran for Occidental College and won the 800 at the 1951-52 NCAA Championships. He finished second in the 1952 Olympic Trials but failed to make the Olympic final. In 1952 he ran on a world-record setting 4×880 relay team (with Bill Ashenfelter, Reggie Pearman, and Mal Whitfield) at the USA vs. British Empire meet in London. He later coached high school track & field from 1962 thru 1992, and also taught government at local colleges. He was a Civil War buff and collected antiques related to the Civil War.

Personal Bests: 440y – 48.1 (1951); 800 – 1:49.6 (1952); Mile – 4:19.0 (1950).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1952 Summer Olympics Athletics USA John Barnes
800 metres, Men (Olympic) 4 h2 r2/3
4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States DNS