John Rainforth

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameJohn J.•Rainforth
Used nameJohn•Rainforth
Born10 December 1934 in Chepstow, Wales (GBR)
NOC Great Britain

Biography

Welsh-born John Rainforth was the son of a ship owner and broker. He grew up in Newport, Wales where he was an active rugby player in his youth. He served in the Royal Navy in the 1950s and was a member of the rugby team in 1955. Named to the 1956 British Olympic bobsled team that competed at Cortina d’Ampezzo, he competed in the two-man event with Keith Schellenberg, finishing 11th and was also a member the crew of the Great Britain 1 sled alongside Schellenberg, Rollo Brandt and brakeman Ralph Raffles.

After attending Oundle School in Northamptonshire, Rainforth was educated at Emmanuel College at Cambridge University and was a member of the rugby team in the late 1950s, earning his rugby Blue in 1958.

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Winter Olympics Bobsleigh (Bobsleigh) GBR John Rainforth
Two, Men (Olympic) Keith Schellenberg 11
Four, Men (Olympic) Great Britain 1 12