Pat Boot
Encyclopedia
Vernon Patrick "Pat" Boot (22 October 1914 – 5 January 1947) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
middle distance runner
Middle distance track event
Middle distance running events are track races longer than sprints, up to 3000 metres. The standard middle distances are the 800 metres, 1500 metres and mile run, although the 3000 metres may also be classified as a middle distance event. The 880 yard run, or half mile, was the forebear to the...
from Canterbury
Canterbury, New Zealand
The New Zealand region of Canterbury is mainly composed of the Canterbury Plains and the surrounding mountains. Its main city, Christchurch, hosts the main office of the Christchurch City Council, the Canterbury Regional Council - called Environment Canterbury - and the University of Canterbury.-...
, who represented New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
at the 1936 Summer Olympics
New Zealand at the 1936 Summer Olympics
- Gold:* Jack Lovelock — Athletics, Men's 1500 metres-Athletics:* Pat Boot* Jack Lovelock* Cecil Matthews-Boxing:* Thomas Arbuthnott* Norman Fisher* Clarrie Gordon-References:**...
at Berlin and at the 1938 British Empire Games
New Zealand at the 1938 British Empire Games
New Zealand sent a team of 71 competitors and 13 officials to the 1938 British Empire Games, which were held in Sydney, Australia. The flagbearer at the opening ceremony was James Leckie....
at Sydney.
At the 1936 Summer Olympics
1936 Summer Olympics
The 1936 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XI Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was held in 1936 in Berlin, Germany. Berlin won the bid to host the Games over Barcelona, Spain on April 26, 1931, at the 29th IOC Session in Barcelona...
he ran in the 800 metre event, finishing last in the semi-final. He had tendon problems (like Cecil Matthews
Cecil Matthews
Cecil Henry Matthews was a New Zealand long distance runner from Canterbury, who represented New Zealand at the 1936 Summer Olympics at Berlin and New Zealand at the 1938 British Empire Games at Sydney....
, who also had a disappointing result at Berlin) from running on the decks of the Wanganella, and withdrew from the fourth heat of the 1500 meters.
At the 1938 British Empire Games
1938 British Empire Games
The 1938 British Empire Games was the third British Empire Games, the Commonwealth Games being the modern-day equivalent. Held in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from February 5–12, 1938, they were timed to coincide with Sydney's sesqui-centenary...
he won a gold in the 880 yards with a tremendous sprint 70 yards from the end, and a bronze in the mile.
He was born at Kaikoura
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island of New Zealand. It is located on State Highway 1 180 km north of Christchurch.Kaikoura became the first local authority to reach the Green Globe tourism certification standard....
and educated at Ashburton High School, Timaru Boys' High School
Timaru Boys' High School
Timaru Boys' High School , established in 1880, is a single sex state secondary school located in the port city of Timaru, South Canterbury, New Zealand. TBHS caters for years 9 - 13 ....
and Lincoln University
Lincoln University, New Zealand
Lincoln University is a New Zealand university that was formed in 1990 when Lincoln College, Canterbury was made independent of the University of Canterbury...
, where he trained for a diploma in agriculture. In World War II he was commissioned in the New Zealand Army
New Zealand Army
The New Zealand Army , is the land component of the New Zealand Defence Force and comprises around 4,500 Regular Force personnel, 2,000 Territorial Force personnel and 500 civilians. Formerly the New Zealand Military Forces, the current name was adopted around 1946...
and served overseas in the Middle East. He was an instructor in agriculture at Gisborne
Gisborne, New Zealand
-Economy:The harbour was host to many ships in the past and had developed as a river port to provide a more secure location for shipping compared with the open roadstead of Poverty Bay which can be exposed to southerly swells. A meat works was sited beside the harbour and meat and wool was shipped...
when he died aged 32 when under anaesthesia for dental treatment.