James Alford
Encyclopedia
James Alford was a Welsh track athlete. He was born in Cardiff
, Wales
. In 1938 Alford won the Mile Empire Games gold medal in Sydney
, becoming the first athlete in a Welsh vest to strike gold in the Empire Games. He was also a member of the British 4 x 1500 metre team that broke the world record. At home he won 11 Welsh titles in disciplines ranging from the 440 yards to cross country. He became first National Coach for Athletics in Wales
in 1948.
A member of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame
.
As a coach Jim Alford guided and advised many UK athletes to represent the UK and gain honours internationally. He always had time to give to disadvantaged athletes, inspiring them to reach their potential.
He was the author and collaborator of several books and many articles, also translating many overseas books and articles into English.
He worked for the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) for a number of years, organising coaching forums and writing many articles. He was greatly respected internationally and loved and appreciated by local athletes.
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. In 1938 Alford won the Mile Empire Games gold medal in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, becoming the first athlete in a Welsh vest to strike gold in the Empire Games. He was also a member of the British 4 x 1500 metre team that broke the world record. At home he won 11 Welsh titles in disciplines ranging from the 440 yards to cross country. He became first National Coach for Athletics in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in 1948.
A member of the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame
Welsh Sports Hall of Fame
The Welsh Sports Hall of Fame is a charitable organization created to commemorate the sporting achievements and preserve the artifacts of Welsh athletes. It was established in 1980 from the memorabilia collection of Welsh radio announcer G. V. Wynne-Jones...
.
As a coach Jim Alford guided and advised many UK athletes to represent the UK and gain honours internationally. He always had time to give to disadvantaged athletes, inspiring them to reach their potential.
He was the author and collaborator of several books and many articles, also translating many overseas books and articles into English.
He worked for the International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) for a number of years, organising coaching forums and writing many articles. He was greatly respected internationally and loved and appreciated by local athletes.