Whether we athletes liked it or not, the 4-minute mile had become rather like an Everest: a challenge to the human spirit, it was a barrier that seemed to defy all attempts to break it, an irksome reminder that men's… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
I raced supremely well. I felt I was as well fitted to do it as I had ever been, and as perhaps I might ever be. I went climbing three weeks before, because I was feeling fed up with running. — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
Our concept of a family holiday was going to a guest house in the Lake district or Wales where walking was part of the… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
Mothers, unless they were very poor, didn't work. Both of my parents had to leave education. My mother had to work in a cotton… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
My concentration was really on getting to university and becoming a doctor. My parents let me know that school marks were important. Achievement was… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
If there was the opportunity to climb a mountain, or to go ballooning, or some adventurous activity, I would always be keen to do… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
Sport is not about being wrapped up in cotton wool. Sport as about adapting to the unexpected and being able to modify plans at… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
May is a very early time in the year and the weather is usually bad. You cannot run a fast mile race if there… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
My family actually lived in the same village for about 400 years. They had great stability until the last century. People lived and intermarried… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
The human spirit is indomitable. No one can ever say you must not run faster than this or jump higher than that. There will… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
Doctors and scientists said breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
I had always wanted to become a neurologist, which is one of the most demanding vocations in medicine. Where do you stop, after all,… — Roger Bannister Copy Share Image
