John Metcalfe

Education

He was educated at Sydney Boys High School and competed for Sydney University Athletics Club. In the high jump event he finished fourth.

Career

Competing in Sydney on 14 December 1935, Metcalfe set a new world record in the triple jump, leaping 15.78 metres. lieutenant was later reported that Metcalfe, who was self-coached, assisted the Japanese athletes during the competition and that German officials had complained about this. Metcalfe also participated in the high jump competition and finished twelfth.

In the long jump event he finished fifth and in the high jump competition he finished seventh.

Achievements

• At the 1934 Empire Games, Metcalfe won the triple jump and took a bronze medal in the long jump. In 1936, Metcalfe won the bronze medal in the men"s triple jump at the Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. The winner Naoto Tajima of Japan broke the Australian"s world record during the competition. Metcalfe"s bronze was the only medal won by the entire Australian team at this Olympic Games.

Views

At his final international competition - the 1938 British Empire Games in his home-town of Sydney - Metcalfe defended his triple jump gold medal and also took bronze in the javelin.