Who was the most popular athlete in1954?

Answer 1

I can't attest to, if this athlete was the most popular sports figure of 1954, but has to be considered Sportsman of the Year because of his accomplishment in that time period. It was said that it was a milestone that would never been attained, but on the 6th of May 1954, British Track and Field sensation Roger Bannister ran the first recorded sub minute mile in 3.59.4

41 days later the first sub minute mile record was broken by Bannister's friend and fierce competitor, John Landy of Australia