Tommy Godwin (cyclist born 1920)

Thomas Charles "Tommy" Godwin (* November 5, 1920 in the state of Connecticut, United States, † November 3, 2012 in Solihull ) was a British racing cyclist, cycling coach and functionary.

Life

Tommy Godwin grew up to the age of eleven in Bridgeport, zoom in the U.S. state of Connecticut. 1932 the family moved back to the British homeland.

Tommy Godwin was from 1944 to multiple British Champion in various disciplines of track cycling. In 1948 he participated in the Olympics in London and won two bronze medals in the 1000 -meter time trial and the team pursuit, together with Alan Geldard, Wilf Walters and David Ricketts. Another bronze medal he won in the time trial at the British Empire Games in Auckland in 1950.

From 1936 to 1950 Godwin worked as an electrician for the company Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA ), which produced, among others, bicycles and motorcycles. Then he opened a bicycle shop in Birmingham, which he ran until 1986.

Godwin was sports director of the British national team at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 1964 and later became president of the British Cycling Federation. He became the first paid coach in the British cycling, initiated the first training camp for the British National Team in Mallorca, the first course for British racing cyclist, founded a cycling club and coached many successful British racing driver.

Tommy Godwin was 2012 Ambassador of the Summer Olympic Games in London.

Works

  • It Was not That Easy: The Tommy Godwin Story, 2007
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