William Hehir

William Hehir
Personal information
Born18 January 1887
Lisdoonvarna, Clare, Ireland
Died15 October 1972 (aged 85)
London, England
Sport
SportAthletics
Eventwalk events
ClubHerne Hill Harriers
Surrey Walking Club

William Hehir (18 January 1887 – 15 October 1972) was a British track and field athlete who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics in racewalking events.[1]

Career

Hehir was born in Lisdoonvarna in County Clare, Ireland, but was associated with the Surrey Walking Club.[2]

Hehir finished second and third respectively behind Robert Bridge in the 2 miles walk and 7 miles walk events at the 1914 AAA Championships.[3][4][5]

After the war, Hehir finally became the National 7 miles walk champion after winning the title at the 1919 AAA Championships.[6][7] In 1920 Hehir finished second behind Charles Dowson in both the 2 and 7 miles walk events at the 1920 AAA Championships.[8][9][10] One month later, he competed at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium, where he finished fifth in the 10 kilometre walk competition and seventh in the 3 kilometre walk competition.[1] The following year,he finished second behind Harold Ross in the 7 miles walk event at the 1921 AAA Championships.[11][12]

Hehir was a carpenter and joiner by trade and who lived in Dulwich.[1] He died in London in 1972.

References

  1. ^ a b c "William Hehir". Olympedia. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  2. ^ William Hehir. Sports References. Retrieved on 2015-01-23.
  3. ^ "Amateur Athletics". Lancashire Evening Post. 4 July 1914. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ^ "Applegarth's Feats". Manchester Courier. 6 July 1914. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  5. ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
  6. ^ "AAA Championships". Daily Herald. 7 July 1919. Retrieved 21 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  7. ^ "Amateur Champions". Daily Record. 7 July 1919. Retrieved 21 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "The Athletic Championships". Weekly Dispatch (London). 4 July 1920. Retrieved 23 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ "Athletics". Newcastle Journal. 5 July 1920. Retrieved 23 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  10. ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 23 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Athletics". Northern Whig. 2 July 1921. Retrieved 30 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  12. ^ "Where Britain leads". Birmingham Daily Gazette. 4 July 1921. Retrieved 30 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.