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Profile: Roger Bannister
Profile Roger Bannister Lancet 2005; 366: S14–S15
Domhnall MacAuley
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK (D MacAuley) Correspondence to: Dr Domhnall MacAuley Domhnall.macauley@NTL world.com
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Sport has an aesthetic beauty, a flow, a rhythm, a symphony with nature. Sometimes, on a crisp winter morning, or in the warmth of a summer evening, nature sings and everything comes together, in effortless performance. That memory, that experience, that joy and harmony, is what the athlete chases—in sport, in academic work, and in life. It is not a selfish odyssey, for in searching for that synchronicity, the rewards are meaningless; it is simply seeking excellence for its own sake. Roger Bannister still lives that life. A world-class neurologist, a talented writer and editor, and Master of Pembroke College, University of Oxford, UK. A life of triumph and achievement. As an exceptional athlete in extraordinary times, Bannister broke an unthinkable barrier. He became, on May 6, 1954, a legend. His life has since been measured against those 4 minutes but, to be remembered for that one day more than 50 years ago understates his lifetime of achievement. A life full of surprises. To write your autobiography at the age of 25 is unusual. Completed in 1954, shortly after he had retired from competition, it is compelling because, although written as a memoir, the text describes a philosophy of life that Bannister followed for the next 50 years. He describes, with the clarity of recent memory, his days at school in Bath and London, his early days at Oxford, the build up to the 4-minute mile, and his success in the Empire and European Games. Despite such great achievements, however, Bannister had the same uncertainties and insecurities of every adolescent. In athletics, he discovered the key to his self esteem and the S14
recognition of his peers, though he was incredibly nervous before competition. He recalls, with great colour and vibrancy, the 4-minute mile, his victory over Landy at the Empire Games, and his triumph at the European championships, but the overwhelming theme of his story is the joy of running and the glory of human endeavour. Photographed with the Queen, Churchill, and the greats of modern history, we also see a page from his training diary, written on an obstetric record. A humbling reminder that his athletic career paralleled his time as a medical student. Reflecting in his republished autobiography, 50 years on, we get an insight into greatness “. . . however ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then even thought impossible.” Medicine is a tough master. Bannister qualified as a doctor in medicine the same year he broke the 4-minute barrier, but did not find it easy. He was afraid his medical colleagues and seniors would not take him seriously in medicine, and that his sporting recognition would get in the way of his career. When invitations came to attend major sporting events as an honoured guest, including the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, he quietly declined. Medicine was his new life, and he wanted to show that he was serious and committed. Sporting glory is transient. As successive milers sliced seconds off his record, Bannister’s achievements in neurology grew. His academic career had begun even as he etched out the foundations of his athletic performance. A photograph in 1949 shows him as a white-coated scientist working at a laboratory bench, with the words “Enjoy yourself” written on a beam above his head. He published two papers in 1953 that record his interest in the physiology of oxygen transport, the springtime of a flourishing research career. National service eventually caught up with him in 1958 when he was posted to Aden. But, this possible set-back was turned into another opportunity for research as he marched with his army colleagues in unaccustomed heat. He continued this work on heat and hydration on his return to the National Hospital, Queen Square, as Senior Resident House Physician, and close readers of his 1960 Lancet paper will note the frequency with which one particular individual appeared in this work. One RB was the most willing participant in his own research, and often arrived home hot and flushed after sitting naked in a hot chamber for 3–6 hours after intravenous injection of increasing doses of bacterial pyrogens. Bannister’s scholarly and methodical mind was drawn to neurology where his contributions are immense. His research career, documented in his 81 original papers, focused mostly on the autonomic nervous system, www.thelancet.com Medicine and Sport Vol 366 December 2005
cardiovascular physiology, and multisystem atrophy. In 1982, he wrote one of the first textbooks on the autonomic nervous system, and founded and chaired the British Society for Autonomic Research. Together with C J Mathias, a colleague at St Mary’s, he edited Autonomic Failure: A Textbook of Clinical Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System, the 5th edition of which they are currently preparing. He also carefully edited five editions of Brain and Bannister’s Clinical Neurology through a period of great change in our understanding of neurology facilitated by great advances in molecular genetics and radiology. His recognition, this year, by the American Academy of Neurology for his academic achievements brought him quiet satisfaction; here was acclaim from his professional peers, prestige and honour in his chosen specialty. Great men’s achievements are often measured in little things. A word of encouragement, a gesture, an engaging smile. Bannister’s quiet words helped forge the renaissance of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. And when, with breathtaking naivete, a junior physiotherapist once asked if he would be Honorary President of their local branch, this giant agreed without demur. Modest and endearing, a man of humility and great integrity, a fascinating conversationalist who easily recalls anecdotes about the great figures in sport; men like Zatopek, Landy, and Delaney, his contemporaries and friends. His love of sport is reflected in his commitment to the Sports
Council in its fledgling days. This undertaking was his first major sidestep since launching his medical career, and when appointed by government as its first chairman, he pioneered what was then a radical idea of sport for all and the creation of local sports centres. He enjoyed many sports, including sailing, mountaineering, and rowing. Continuing to run, until injured in a road traffic accident, he particularly enjoyed orienteering. He has an enduring love of sport, an appreciation of medical science, and the lifelong support of his artist wife Moyra. Sport is his metaphor for life: “When the broad sweep of life is viewed, sport, though instinctive, physical and ephemeral, illustrates a universal truth that most of us find effort and struggle deeply satisfying, harnessing almost primeval instincts to fight, to survive. It gives us all a challenge, a sense of purpose and freedom of choice.” Favoured by the gods, he carries his gift with lightness and dignity, wise in counsel and generous in spirit. Sir Roger is patron of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine where his strong support is greatly valued. Regularly attending the annual conference, his tall thin frame and faintly academic air is still easily recognisable across the crowd. With a lively mind, youthful energy, and a mischievous sense of humour, Bannister continues to encourage the next generation in academia, in sport, and in sports medicine. Forever seeking excellence. Citius, altius, fortius.
Further reading Bannister R. The first four minutes. New York: Putnam, 1955 Bannister R. The first four minutes: 50th anniversary edition. Thrupp: Sutton publishing, 2004 Anhidrosis following intravenous bacterial pyrogen. Lancet 1960; 276: 118-22
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
www.thelancet.com Medicine and Sport Vol 366 December 2005
S15
Domhnall MacAuley
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BJ, UK (D MacAuley) Correspondence to: Dr Domhnall MacAuley Domhnall.macauley@NTL world.com
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
Sport has an aesthetic beauty, a flow, a rhythm, a symphony with nature. Sometimes, on a crisp winter morning, or in the warmth of a summer evening, nature sings and everything comes together, in effortless performance. That memory, that experience, that joy and harmony, is what the athlete chases—in sport, in academic work, and in life. It is not a selfish odyssey, for in searching for that synchronicity, the rewards are meaningless; it is simply seeking excellence for its own sake. Roger Bannister still lives that life. A world-class neurologist, a talented writer and editor, and Master of Pembroke College, University of Oxford, UK. A life of triumph and achievement. As an exceptional athlete in extraordinary times, Bannister broke an unthinkable barrier. He became, on May 6, 1954, a legend. His life has since been measured against those 4 minutes but, to be remembered for that one day more than 50 years ago understates his lifetime of achievement. A life full of surprises. To write your autobiography at the age of 25 is unusual. Completed in 1954, shortly after he had retired from competition, it is compelling because, although written as a memoir, the text describes a philosophy of life that Bannister followed for the next 50 years. He describes, with the clarity of recent memory, his days at school in Bath and London, his early days at Oxford, the build up to the 4-minute mile, and his success in the Empire and European Games. Despite such great achievements, however, Bannister had the same uncertainties and insecurities of every adolescent. In athletics, he discovered the key to his self esteem and the S14
recognition of his peers, though he was incredibly nervous before competition. He recalls, with great colour and vibrancy, the 4-minute mile, his victory over Landy at the Empire Games, and his triumph at the European championships, but the overwhelming theme of his story is the joy of running and the glory of human endeavour. Photographed with the Queen, Churchill, and the greats of modern history, we also see a page from his training diary, written on an obstetric record. A humbling reminder that his athletic career paralleled his time as a medical student. Reflecting in his republished autobiography, 50 years on, we get an insight into greatness “. . . however ordinary each of us may seem, we are all in some way special and can do things that are extraordinary, perhaps until then even thought impossible.” Medicine is a tough master. Bannister qualified as a doctor in medicine the same year he broke the 4-minute barrier, but did not find it easy. He was afraid his medical colleagues and seniors would not take him seriously in medicine, and that his sporting recognition would get in the way of his career. When invitations came to attend major sporting events as an honoured guest, including the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, he quietly declined. Medicine was his new life, and he wanted to show that he was serious and committed. Sporting glory is transient. As successive milers sliced seconds off his record, Bannister’s achievements in neurology grew. His academic career had begun even as he etched out the foundations of his athletic performance. A photograph in 1949 shows him as a white-coated scientist working at a laboratory bench, with the words “Enjoy yourself” written on a beam above his head. He published two papers in 1953 that record his interest in the physiology of oxygen transport, the springtime of a flourishing research career. National service eventually caught up with him in 1958 when he was posted to Aden. But, this possible set-back was turned into another opportunity for research as he marched with his army colleagues in unaccustomed heat. He continued this work on heat and hydration on his return to the National Hospital, Queen Square, as Senior Resident House Physician, and close readers of his 1960 Lancet paper will note the frequency with which one particular individual appeared in this work. One RB was the most willing participant in his own research, and often arrived home hot and flushed after sitting naked in a hot chamber for 3–6 hours after intravenous injection of increasing doses of bacterial pyrogens. Bannister’s scholarly and methodical mind was drawn to neurology where his contributions are immense. His research career, documented in his 81 original papers, focused mostly on the autonomic nervous system, www.thelancet.com Medicine and Sport Vol 366 December 2005
cardiovascular physiology, and multisystem atrophy. In 1982, he wrote one of the first textbooks on the autonomic nervous system, and founded and chaired the British Society for Autonomic Research. Together with C J Mathias, a colleague at St Mary’s, he edited Autonomic Failure: A Textbook of Clinical Disorders of the Autonomic Nervous System, the 5th edition of which they are currently preparing. He also carefully edited five editions of Brain and Bannister’s Clinical Neurology through a period of great change in our understanding of neurology facilitated by great advances in molecular genetics and radiology. His recognition, this year, by the American Academy of Neurology for his academic achievements brought him quiet satisfaction; here was acclaim from his professional peers, prestige and honour in his chosen specialty. Great men’s achievements are often measured in little things. A word of encouragement, a gesture, an engaging smile. Bannister’s quiet words helped forge the renaissance of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. And when, with breathtaking naivete, a junior physiotherapist once asked if he would be Honorary President of their local branch, this giant agreed without demur. Modest and endearing, a man of humility and great integrity, a fascinating conversationalist who easily recalls anecdotes about the great figures in sport; men like Zatopek, Landy, and Delaney, his contemporaries and friends. His love of sport is reflected in his commitment to the Sports
Council in its fledgling days. This undertaking was his first major sidestep since launching his medical career, and when appointed by government as its first chairman, he pioneered what was then a radical idea of sport for all and the creation of local sports centres. He enjoyed many sports, including sailing, mountaineering, and rowing. Continuing to run, until injured in a road traffic accident, he particularly enjoyed orienteering. He has an enduring love of sport, an appreciation of medical science, and the lifelong support of his artist wife Moyra. Sport is his metaphor for life: “When the broad sweep of life is viewed, sport, though instinctive, physical and ephemeral, illustrates a universal truth that most of us find effort and struggle deeply satisfying, harnessing almost primeval instincts to fight, to survive. It gives us all a challenge, a sense of purpose and freedom of choice.” Favoured by the gods, he carries his gift with lightness and dignity, wise in counsel and generous in spirit. Sir Roger is patron of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Medicine where his strong support is greatly valued. Regularly attending the annual conference, his tall thin frame and faintly academic air is still easily recognisable across the crowd. With a lively mind, youthful energy, and a mischievous sense of humour, Bannister continues to encourage the next generation in academia, in sport, and in sports medicine. Forever seeking excellence. Citius, altius, fortius.
Further reading Bannister R. The first four minutes. New York: Putnam, 1955 Bannister R. The first four minutes: 50th anniversary edition. Thrupp: Sutton publishing, 2004 Anhidrosis following intravenous bacterial pyrogen. Lancet 1960; 276: 118-22
Rights were not granted to include this image in electronic media. Please refer to the printed journal.
www.thelancet.com Medicine and Sport Vol 366 December 2005
S15