John FitzSimons

For the footballer and doctor, see John Fitzsimons (footballer).

John Henry FitzSimons (born 12 February 1943) is a British former track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He was the gold medallist at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning with a games record throw of 79.78 m (261 ft 8+3⁄4 in).^[1] He is a former British record holder and was the first British man to throw the javelin beyond eighty metres.^[2] His personal best is 81.92 m (268 ft 9 in).^[3]

John FitzSimons

Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  England
Commonwealth Games
	1966 Kingston	Javelin throw
	1970 Edinburgh	Javelin throw

He was the 1964 winner of the AAA Championships and was runner-up tin Finland's Jorma Kinnunen in 1966.^[4] As well as his 1966 gold, he returned to win a bronze medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, helping England to the first ever medal sweep of the javelin by a nation, alongside compatriots Dave Travis and John McSorley.^[5] He represented Great Britain at the 1966 European Athletics Championships but ranked only 22nd overall.^[6]

He also played minor counties cricket for Berkshire from 1960–1962, making eight appearances in the Minor Counties Championship.^[7]

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
1966	British Empire and Commonwealth Games	Kingston, Jamaica	1st	79.78 m GR
	European Championships	Budapest, Hungary	22nd	68.86 m
1970	British Commonwealth Games	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	3rd	73.20 m

References

1. Commonwealth Games: Men’s javelin. Athletics Weekly (2014-07-23). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
2. Track Stats - Colin Smith Britain’s javelin maestro: almost 60 years of competition and coaching. NUTS (December 2011). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
3. John FitzSimons. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
4. AAA Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
5. COmmonwealth Games (Men). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
6. Men Javelin Throw Athletics VIII European Championships 1966 Budapest (HUN) - Friday 02.09. Todor66. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
7. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by John FitzSimons". CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 February 2019.