Ian Stewart (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Ian Stewart is a Scottish
athlete. Ian Stewart was one of the world's leading distance runners between the late 1960s and mid-1970s. Stewart won the bronze medal
in the Men's 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich (a race won by Lasse Virén
). Stewart also won the following championships: European
5,000 metres (1969), Commonwealth
5,000 metres (1970), European Indoor (1969 and 1975) and World Cross Country
(1975).
In 1965, at 16 years of age, he ran a British age best of 9.12.8 for 2 miles and two years later set a European junior 3 miles record of 13.39.8. In 1968, he broke European junior records at four distances: 3000m, 2 miles, 3 miles and 5000m. Moving up to the senior ranks in 1969, Stewart took the European Indoor 3000m title in a UK record (7.55.4), claiming the AAA 5000m title (13.39.66) and then winning 5000m gold at the European Championships in Athens in a time of 13.44.8.
In 1970, Stewart set a European record at 5,000 metres when he recorded a time of 13:22:8 to win the Commonwealth Games title. This was one of the greatest races of all time and he defeated current world record holder Ron Clarke
, Olympic 1,500 metres champion Kip Keino and fellow Scot, Ian McCafferty
. Ian produced a last lap of 54.4, Keino and Clarke could only finish 3rd and 5th, respectively. Stewart won acclaim for an excellent season by being ranked No 1 in the world over 5000m in 1970 by the authoritative American magazine Track and Field News.
The 1971 campaign proved an anti-climax as injuries halted his progress, he was back to full fitness in the Olympic year of 1972. In the Olympic 5000m final, he suffered a heavy knock from American Steve Prefontaine on the last lap but produced an amazing burst in the home straight to gain the bronze medal (13.27.6), the Finn, Lasse Viren, taking gold in 13.26.4. In fact, Stewart ran the home straight faster than even Virén (see, for example, Mauno Saari, "Lasse Viren: The Secrets of Running" / Lasse Viren: Juoksemisen salaisuudet, published in Finland in 1979; YouTube videos on 1972 Olympic 5K or 5000m).
After a disappointing 1973 season and a mediocre effort in the Commonwealth Games 5000m final (5th in 13.40.4) in early 1974, he decided to take up cycle racing that summer to recharge his batteries. Suitably refreshed, he returned to athletics in fine style the following year, completing an excellent double in March 1975 by taking the European indoor 3000m crown (7.58.6) and the World Cross Country 12 km title. He remains Britain's last male winner of this world title and it proved to be his last major international honour. Stewart still produced some quality performances in later years, such as his 7th place in the 5000m final at the 1976 Olympics (losing to Virén by 2.89 seconds after dropping from second to seventh place in the last 300 metres - see, for example, Matti Hannus, "Montreal Olympic Book" / Montreal Olympiakirja, Helsinki: "Runner" / Juoksija magazine, 1976; YouTube videos on 1976 Olympic 5000m) and a 10-mile world road best (45.13) in 1977. He hung up his spikes in summer 1978, bringing down the curtain on a long and illustrious career.
Stewart set other British records: 1,500 metres 3:39.12 (1969), 2,000 metres 5:02.98 (1975),2 miles 8:22.0 (1972). Other personal bests: Mile 3:57.3 (1969) and 10,000 metres 27:43.03 (1977).
Ian's brother Peter was a European Indoor (1971) champion and British record holder at the mile 3:55.3 (1972). His sister Mary was crowned Commonwealth 1,500m champion in 1978.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
athlete. Ian Stewart was one of the world's leading distance runners between the late 1960s and mid-1970s. Stewart won the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
in the Men's 5000 metres at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich (a race won by Lasse Virén
Lasse Virén
Lasse Artturi Virén is a former Finnish long-distance runner, winner of four gold medals at the 1972 and 1976 Summer Olympics...
). Stewart also won the following championships: European
European Championships in Athletics
The European Athletics Championships is an event organized by the European Athletic Association. It is organised every four years, the same year as the Commonwealth Games and between the Summer Olympic Games cycle. After the 2010 Championships in Barcelona, the European Championships will take...
5,000 metres (1969), Commonwealth
Commonwealth Games
The Commonwealth Games is an international, multi-sport event involving athletes from the Commonwealth of Nations. The event was first held in 1930 and takes place every four years....
5,000 metres (1970), European Indoor (1969 and 1975) and World Cross Country
IAAF World Cross Country Championships
IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations , it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships...
(1975).
In 1965, at 16 years of age, he ran a British age best of 9.12.8 for 2 miles and two years later set a European junior 3 miles record of 13.39.8. In 1968, he broke European junior records at four distances: 3000m, 2 miles, 3 miles and 5000m. Moving up to the senior ranks in 1969, Stewart took the European Indoor 3000m title in a UK record (7.55.4), claiming the AAA 5000m title (13.39.66) and then winning 5000m gold at the European Championships in Athens in a time of 13.44.8.
In 1970, Stewart set a European record at 5,000 metres when he recorded a time of 13:22:8 to win the Commonwealth Games title. This was one of the greatest races of all time and he defeated current world record holder Ron Clarke
Ron Clarke
Ronald William "Ron" Clarke, MBE is a former Australian athlete, writer, and current Mayor of the Gold Coast. He is one of the best known middle and long distance runners in the 1960s, notable for setting seventeen world records.- Early life and family :He attended Melbourne High School...
, Olympic 1,500 metres champion Kip Keino and fellow Scot, Ian McCafferty
Ian McCafferty
Ian John McCafferty is a Scottish athlete. McCafferty won the silver medal at the Commonwealth 5,000 metres when he recorded a time of 13:23.34. This was one of the greatest races of all time. Reigning European 5,000 metres champion Ian Stewart set a new European record and the two Scots, moved...
. Ian produced a last lap of 54.4, Keino and Clarke could only finish 3rd and 5th, respectively. Stewart won acclaim for an excellent season by being ranked No 1 in the world over 5000m in 1970 by the authoritative American magazine Track and Field News.
The 1971 campaign proved an anti-climax as injuries halted his progress, he was back to full fitness in the Olympic year of 1972. In the Olympic 5000m final, he suffered a heavy knock from American Steve Prefontaine on the last lap but produced an amazing burst in the home straight to gain the bronze medal (13.27.6), the Finn, Lasse Viren, taking gold in 13.26.4. In fact, Stewart ran the home straight faster than even Virén (see, for example, Mauno Saari, "Lasse Viren: The Secrets of Running" / Lasse Viren: Juoksemisen salaisuudet, published in Finland in 1979; YouTube videos on 1972 Olympic 5K or 5000m).
After a disappointing 1973 season and a mediocre effort in the Commonwealth Games 5000m final (5th in 13.40.4) in early 1974, he decided to take up cycle racing that summer to recharge his batteries. Suitably refreshed, he returned to athletics in fine style the following year, completing an excellent double in March 1975 by taking the European indoor 3000m crown (7.58.6) and the World Cross Country 12 km title. He remains Britain's last male winner of this world title and it proved to be his last major international honour. Stewart still produced some quality performances in later years, such as his 7th place in the 5000m final at the 1976 Olympics (losing to Virén by 2.89 seconds after dropping from second to seventh place in the last 300 metres - see, for example, Matti Hannus, "Montreal Olympic Book" / Montreal Olympiakirja, Helsinki: "Runner" / Juoksija magazine, 1976; YouTube videos on 1976 Olympic 5000m) and a 10-mile world road best (45.13) in 1977. He hung up his spikes in summer 1978, bringing down the curtain on a long and illustrious career.
Stewart set other British records: 1,500 metres 3:39.12 (1969), 2,000 metres 5:02.98 (1975),2 miles 8:22.0 (1972). Other personal bests: Mile 3:57.3 (1969) and 10,000 metres 27:43.03 (1977).
Ian's brother Peter was a European Indoor (1971) champion and British record holder at the mile 3:55.3 (1972). His sister Mary was crowned Commonwealth 1,500m champion in 1978.