Kenneth Joseph Matthews, MBE (21 June 1934 – 2 June 2019)[1] was a British race walker, who won the Olympic (1964) and European (1962) titles in the 20 km walk.
From 1957 Matthews worked as an electrician at a local power plant at Hams Hall near Sutton Coldfield and had to take a paid leave for competitions. In 1959, 1961, 1963 and 1964 he won the British titles in all three walking events. He took part in the 1960 Olympics, but failed to finish the 20 km race. He won the same event at the 1964 Games in a new Olympic record of 1.29:34. He was the only one of the four gold medallists from Great Britain who was not appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) soon afterwards in recognition of his achievement. Following a public outcry, he belatedly received the honours, for services to race walking, in the 1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours.[2][3][4]
Matthews also won the European title in 1962[3] and twice the Lugano Trophy (1961 and 1963).[2]
^ abEvans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. . Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020.
^ abSam Knight (9 June 2012) Kenneth Matthews, Great Britain. FT Magazine.
^United Kingdom: "No. 47234". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 June 1977. p. 7097.
^"Olympian Ken Matthews died after 'unknown' allergic reaction". BBC News. 3 January 2020. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
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matthews, race, walker, kenneth, joseph, matthews, june, 1934, june, 2019, british, race, walker, olympic, 1964, european, 1962, titles, walk, matthewsmbematthews, 1964, olympicspersonal, informationborn, 1934, june, 1934birmingham, united, kingdomdied2, june,. Kenneth Joseph Matthews MBE 21 June 1934 2 June 2019 1 was a British race walker who won the Olympic 1964 and European 1962 titles in the 20 km walk Ken MatthewsMBEMatthews at the 1964 OlympicsPersonal informationBorn 1934 06 21 21 June 1934Birmingham United KingdomDied2 June 2019 2019 06 02 aged 84 Height1 85 m 6 ft 1 in Weight78 kg 172 lb SportSportRace walkingClubRoyal Sutton Coldfield Walking ClubAchievements and titlesPersonal best s 42 35 6 10 km 1960 1 28 15 20 km 1960 Medal record Men s athleticsRepresenting Great BritainOlympic Games1964 Tokyo 20 km walkEuropean Championships1962 Belgrade 20 km walkFrom 1957 Matthews worked as an electrician at a local power plant at Hams Hall near Sutton Coldfield and had to take a paid leave for competitions In 1959 1961 1963 and 1964 he won the British titles in all three walking events He took part in the 1960 Olympics but failed to finish the 20 km race He won the same event at the 1964 Games in a new Olympic record of 1 29 34 He was the only one of the four gold medallists from Great Britain who was not appointed a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire MBE soon afterwards in recognition of his achievement Following a public outcry he belatedly received the honours for services to race walking in the 1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours 2 3 4 Matthews also won the European title in 1962 3 and twice the Lugano Trophy 1961 and 1963 2 In 2007 he was the guest of honour at Hawarden High School for the Year 11 Record Of Achievement citation needed In 2011 he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame citation needed He died on 2 June 2019 aged 84 An inquest concluded in early January 2020 that his death was the result of an unknown allergic reaction 5 References Edit Olympic champion race walker Ken Matthews dies a b Evans Hilary Gjerde Arild Heijmans Jeroen Mallon Bill et al Ken Matthews Olympics at Sports Reference com Sports Reference LLC Archived from the original on 17 April 2020 a b Sam Knight 9 June 2012 Kenneth Matthews Great Britain FT Magazine United Kingdom No 47234 The London Gazette Supplement 10 June 1977 p 7097 Olympian Ken Matthews died after unknown allergic reaction BBC News 3 January 2020 Retrieved 19 January 2021 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ken Matthews Ken Matthews at UK Athletics Ken Matthews at the European Athletic Association Kenneth Joseph Matthews at the International Olympic Committee Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ken Matthews race walker amp oldid 1112194857, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
