| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's athletics | ||
Representing  England
| ||
| Commonwealth Games | ||
 |
1966 Kingston | Javelin throw |
 |
1970 Edinburgh | Javelin throw |
John Henry FitzSimons (born 12 February 1943) is a British former track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He was the gold medallist at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning with a games record throw of 79.78 m (261 ft 8+3⁄4 in). He is a former British record holder and was the first British man to throw the javelin beyond eighty metres. His personal best is 81.92 m (268 ft 9 in).
He was the 1964 winner of the AAA Championships and was runner-up tin Finland's Jorma Kinnunen in 1966. As well as his 1966 gold, he returned to win a bronze medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, helping England to the first ever medal sweep of the javelin by a nation, alongside compatriots Dave Travis and John McSorley. He represented Great Britain at the 1966 European Athletics Championships but ranked only 22nd overall.
He also played minor counties cricket for Berkshire from 1960–1962, making eight appearances in the Minor Counties Championship.
International competitions
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | British Empire and Commonwealth Games | Kingston, Jamaica | 1st | 79.78 m GR |
| European Championships | Budapest, Hungary | 22nd | 68.86 m | |
| 1970 | British Commonwealth Games | Edinburgh, United Kingdom | 3rd | 73.20 m |
References
- Commonwealth Games: Men’s javelin. Athletics Weekly (2014-07-23). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- Track Stats - Colin Smith Britain’s javelin maestro: almost 60 years of competition and coaching. NUTS (December 2011). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- John FitzSimons. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- AAA Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- COmmonwealth Games (Men). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- Men Javelin Throw Athletics VIII European Championships 1966 Budapest (HUN) - Friday 02.09. Todor66. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
- "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by John FitzSimons". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 February 2019.
| Commonwealth Games champions in men's javelin throw | |
|---|---|
|
- Living people
- 1943 births
- English male javelin throwers
- British male javelin throwers
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for England
- Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games
- English cricketers
- Berkshire cricketers
- Medallists at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
- Medallists at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games