An athletic pensioner who missed the Olympics because of war has broken a British record for hammer throwing – at the age of 80.
Warwick Dixon threw 35.87 metres at an open meeting at his athletics club recently, beating the previous best for an 80-year-old Brit of 35.44.
Warwick began hammer throwing while serving in the RAF and at the age of 21 was picked for the Great Britain team at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne.
But his four-week sailing was delayed by the outbreak of the Suez Crisis and he arrived at the games late and missed the event.
Break
Warwick, of Horton Kirby, Kent, continued competing well into his 70s before taking a break to care for his wife Lynn who died after a four year battle with cancer in 2012.
He cycles to and from his practice spot at Westminster Field, Dartford, with hammer in tow and is always careful to set out a reflective warning triangle before launching off.
He said: “After I got the record I thought it’s about time, I’ve waited 80 years for this.
“It came as a great relief – especially with the nationals coming up.
“You would think you might stand a better chance as you get older but the competition gets keener, it is amazing.”
Delayed
He added: “I would have absolutely loved to have competed at the Olympics but we were delayed for two weeks.
“The only upside was I had passes for the village where I watched the hockey final between India and Pakistan and the tail end of the athletics.”
Warwick is now looking forward to the national championships where he will compete against hundreds – and aims to throw over 40m.
