Page 31 - BBHAC Winter 2016-17 Gazette

Obituary 31 31
Obituary
Gordon Hickey

1932–2016

against ‘Floppers’ and cleared training specifically for the
Last issue we included a short good heights. event but the other factor
obituary for Gordon Hickey However in order to improve militating against his jumping
who died last year. As promised his technique Gordon was was his job as a film and tape
here is a more extensive tribute coached by Sir Arthur Gold and editor with ITN. Nightshifts
to him including personal trained with the Royal Ballet. every other weekend and travel
memories from friends. He used to travel across London could intrude. He recalled an
to train at Parliament Hill under assignment in Belfast in 1970
where the only thing that
Gordon Hickey will always be the guidance of Sir Arthur and didn’t seem to get bombed was
remembered as the veteran shot his assistant Ron Murray. It his hotel.
putter who dominated his event was Gold who arranged for a
over many years, performing at number of jumpers including Therefore despite being one
of the top jumpers in the
an age when most athletes had Mary Rand to work with the
hung up their shoes and not Royal Ballet. “That was tough country he never gained an
International vest. The only
just to turn up but to compete training” recalled Gordon; “we times he competed abroad
seriously at different levels apart were doing all the exercises for was with the Club on tours to
though from international, a couple of hours and you could Switzerland and Northern Italy.
gaining a host of titles including hardly walk afterwards”. He fondly recalled the Italy trip
British Record holder for the Specific event training for where races were held on the
M70’s shot, and setting plenty the high jump was not a year promenade. “The shot took
of records in the process. round cycle. Jump training was place on the beach and then
It is therefore quite hard believe done in the winter and athletes they went up to the town square
that he was once the Southern would just play football to fill for the jumps and somewhat
Counties high jump champion. in the time and then around surprisingly the discus.”
The highlight of his career as a March “started to think about Gordon had always putt the
high jumper was winning the Athletics”. shot in Club matches but in
Southern title. “I must have One meeting he enjoyed was his 40’s as his spring deserted
jumped 6 foot 2 inches over 30 at the White City in 1958 two him he began to take this event
times but then towards the end weeks before the Empire more seriously. “I cleared 1.81
of my career I cleared 6 foot 3 Games. “I was ranked 2nd in as an over 40, 1.75 as an over 45
on a grass run up.” He would England” he said , “4th Briton, and 1.70 as an over 50 but then
wonder what he would have but couldn’t get in because my hips just went.”
jumped using a tartan runway. all the jumpers from around In the 2001 season he also
People have written and said the Commonwealth were competed in the British
much of Gordon as a veteran competing. After many protests Athletics League Division One.
athlete-mainly on his high he was eventually allowed to The match at Eton saw the
jumping and throws, but there compete and was number 31 on British Over 65’s Record holder
are memories are of a younger the programme.” He qualified going head to head with the
man who if necessary could for the Final on the Friday USA’s Olympic Silver Medallist
produce a passable long or triple night, but then had to go off to from Sydney 2000 Adam
jump. His ability in the High work all night before returning Nelson who was competing
Jump was limited technically to compete without sleep the for Birchfield. Nelson won.
to the Western Roll. He could next day. He finished in 7th “The only time I’ve been in a
never master the Fosbury Flop, place. competition where someone has
largely due to his bulk. He Perhaps it was unfortunate that thrown over twice as far as me”
persevered with his old style as work commitments prevented commented Gordon who didn’t
long as he competed, sometimes him from going higher or enjoy the experience.