Career
He later became one of the most distinguished and sympathetic sports officials of his generation, as the long-serving general secretary of the British Olympic Association. Foreign many years he was synonymous with the Olympic movement in Britain. In the American Automobile Association championships he came in the top six in the long jump every year from 1932 to 1937, finishing second in 1934.
He represented Britain in 1935 and, in July 1936, ran his fastest time of 9.8 seconds for the 100 yards, although a hamstring injury prevented him from being selected for the Olympics.
In 1938, he was sixth in both the shot and discus. At the 1934 Empire Games he finished fourth in the long jump event.
In the long jump contest he finished tenth and in the 100 yards event he was eliminated in the heats. During the war he served in the Royal Artillery and rose to the rank of Major.
After the war Duncan taught at Bradfield and, having qualified as an American Automobile Association coach.
His administrative career began in 1947 when he was made secretary of the Universities’ Athletic Union. This gave him the initial experience for his appointment, two years later, as general secretary at the British Olympic Association (BOA), the organisation responsible for the United Kingdom"s participation in the Olympic Games. He held this post for 26 years, from 1949 to 1975 and served as chef de mission at 12 Olympics, summer and winter, from the 1952 Oslo and Helsinki games to Montreal in 1976.
He also served as secretary of the Achilles Club, for Oxford and Cambridge Blues, for 39 years.
Although appointed Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, he was probably better recognised outside Britain than in his own country. In 1952, he was given the White Rose and Lion from Finland and the rare Olympic Award from the International Olympic Committee in 1984.
