 Matthews at the 1964 Olympics | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1934-06-21)21 June 1934 Birmingham, England |
| Died | 2 June 2019(2019-06-02) (aged 84) |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 78 kg (172 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Race walking |
| Club | Royal Sutton Coldfield Walking Club |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personalbest(s) | 42:35.6 (10 km, 1960) 1.28:15 (20 km, 1960) |
Medal record | |
Kenneth Joseph Matthews,MBE (21 June 1934 – 2 June 2019)[1] was a Britishrace walker, who won the Olympic (1964) and European (1962) titles in the 20 km walk.
From 1957 Matthews worked as an electrician at a localpower plant atHams Hall nearSutton Coldfield and had to take a paid leave for competitions. Matthews was theBritish 2 miles walk champion in 1959, 1961,[2] 1962, 1963 and 1964. Additionally he wasBritish 7 miles walk champion in 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963 and 1964.[3][4]
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 fromGreat Britain who was not appointed aMember 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 the1977 Silver Jubilee and Birthday Honours.[5][6][7]
Matthews also won the European title in 1962[6] and twice theLugano Trophy (1961 and 1963).[5]
In 2007, he was the guest of honour atHawarden High School for the Year 11 Record Of Achievement.[citation needed] In 2011, he was inducted into theEngland Athletics Hall of Fame.[8]
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.[9]
European Athletics Championships champions in men's20 kilometres race walk | |
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