Sub 4 minute mile..
Roger Bannister, who did it at Oxford University in England on May 6th 1954.
Dr Roger Bannister at the Iffley Stadium, Oxford on May 6th 1954.
Roger Bannister, recorded the first sub-4 minute mile on 6th May 1954, as a medical student, retiring from competitive sport later that same year. Dr Roger Bannister became a prominent Neurologist. He was knighted, by Queen Elizabeth II in 1975.
The first ever sub-four minute mile was run by Roger Bannister on May 6th, 1954.
The two runners that paced Roger Bannister in the race were Chris Brasher and Chris Chataway. Click on the 'Video of the First Sub Four Minute Mile' link on this page to see a tape of that historic race.
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
Roger Bannister was the first man to break the four minute mile. He did it in May, 1954 at a meet in England, I believe with a time of 3:59.4. He was running with others that also had the potential. I guess you could say that the conditions were just right for him to break the record.
August 6th, 1954 was a Friday.
May 6th, 1954 fell on a Thursday.
January 6th, 1954 fell on a Wednesday.
Roger Federer has been to many finals, but as of September 6th 2009, he has not yet made it to the US Open Finals.