Vincent Paul Nihill MBE (5 September 1939 – 15 December 2020) was a British race walker.
Nihill (left) at the 1964 Olympics
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| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 September 1939 (1939-09-05) Colchester, Essex, England |
| Died | 15 December 2020(2020-12-15) (aged 81)[1] Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, England |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 66 kg (146 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Race walking |
| Club | Surrey Walking Club Croydon and Medway |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) | 1:24:50 (20 km, 1972) 4:11:31 (50 km, 1964) |
Medal record | |
He competed in the 50 km event at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics, and won a silver medal in 1964. In 1968 he suffered from the high altitude conditions of Mexico and collapsed at the 44th kilometre,[2] which was his only defeat in 86 races between 1967 and 1970. After that he focused on the 20 km distance, and won a European title in this event in 1969, followed by a bronze medal in 1971. In July 1972 he set a world record in the 20 km, but finished only sixth at the 1972 Olympics. He also competed in the 20 km walk in the 1976 Olympics, before retiring the following year.[3]
Nihill became the Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1976. He died at the Medway Maritime Hospital, Gillingham, Kent, on 15 December 2020, after contracting COVID-19 amid the COVID-19 pandemic in England.[4]
| Records | ||
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| Preceded by | Men's 20km Walk World Record Holder 30 July 1972 – 30 May 1976 |
Succeeded by |
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