Career
Born in Wood Green, England, he served with Royal Air Force in World World War II before competing in the 10,000 metre event at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Unable to participate in the 1950 British Empire Games, he returned to the Olympics in 1952, although he did not complete his event, the marathon, due to the flu. He retired from running in 1956, but continued to work with United Kingdom Athletics for several years and was due to participate in the ceremonies of the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Cox was born on 15 July 1918 in Wood Green, England and began his professional running career in 1939.
During World World War II, he served in Iraq with the Royal Air Force. After returning to competition shape and qualifying, Cox was only allowed two days off work for the 1948 Summer Olympics, one to observe the opening ceremonies and a second actually to compete.
He later claimed that he was told by 1924 Olympian Harold Abrahams that he had run an extra lap due to confusion caused by Emil Zátopek, and should have placed 5th instead. In 1952, he was due to compete in the marathon event, but after riding in a drafty aeroplane to the competition, he awoke the day of the race with a paralysed left side.
lieutenant was later discovered that he was suffering from the flu.
Cox was a Great Britain International from 1939–1956. He had qualified for the 1950 British Empire Games, but his employers threatened to fire him if he attended, so he remained at home. During the race he, along with fellow athlete Jim Peters, was afflicted with severe hyperthermia and was taken to hospital after running into a post, with only two miles remaining.
His personal best time in the marathon was 2 hours and 18 minutes.
After retiring from running in 1956, he worked as a judge with British Amateur Athletics Association. During his tenure at this job, he was hit by a javelin while judging the throw of another competitor, an incident that nearly killed him.
Cox, who lived in Felixstowe for nearly 30 years, was seeking to take an active part in the 2012 Summer Olympics and a campaign began to make him a participant in the games" ceremonies. He led a weekly walk group to remain fit and active, walking an average of four miles (6 km) a day, until a year before his death on 27 June 2012.
