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Overview
This International Amateur Athletic Federation World Record plaque was awarded to athlete Peter Snell for his part in winning the 4 x 1 mile relay held in Dublin on 17 July 1961 (16 minutes, 23.8 seconds). The relay was a team effort by Snell, Murray Halberg, Barry Magee and Gary Philpott. Snell regards this shared victory as one of the highlights of his athletic career.
Sir Peter Snell
Sir Peter Snell (1938-2019) was one of the world’s greatest athletes in one of the world’s most admired sports – middle-distance running. In 2000 he was named New Zealand’s Sports Champion of the 20th Century. During his running career he won three Olympic gold medals (at Rome in 1960 and Tokyo in 1964), two British Empire and Commonwealth Games gold medals (at Perth in 1962), and set six world records. In 2002 he was made a Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport, becoming Sir Peter in 2009.
Snell was a pupil of the master coach Arthur Lydiard who was responsible for the finest era in New Zealand athletics from 1951-66.
Design
The award features classical imagery of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and laurel leaves. Laurel has long been a symbol of victory and achievement.