Laurie Taitt

Laurie Taitt
Personal information
Full nameJohn Lawrence Taitt
NationalityBritish
Born(1934-03-28)28 March 1934[1]
Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, British Guiana[1]
Died18 October 2006(2006-10-18) (aged 72)[1]
Croydon, Greater London, England[1]
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Weight163 lb (74 kg)[1]
Sport
CountryBritish Guiana, Great Britain
SportAthletics
EventHurdles
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  England
British Empire and Commonwealth Games
Bronze medal – third place 1962 Perth 120 yd hurdles

John Lawrence Taitt (28 March 1934 – 18 October 2006) was a British sprint hurdler. He was born in Georgetown, Demerara-Mahaica, British Guiana (present day Guyana).

Taitt first competed internationally at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. Representing British Guiana, he reached the semi-finals of the 120 yards hurdles.[2] Four years later, now representing Great Britain, Taitt reached the semi-finals of the 110 metres hurdles at the 1962 European Athletics Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia.[3] Two months later representing England, Taitt won the bronze medal in the 120 yards hurdles at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia in a time of 14.7 seconds.[4] He was also due to compete in the high jump but pulled out to focus on the hurdles.[5] At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Taitt in the 110 metres hurdles finished fourth in his heat after crossing the line in 14.5 seconds. This was not enough for him to advance to the semi-finals. Two years later at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, Taitt finished fifth in the final of the 120 yards hurdles in a time of 14.3 seconds.[6] At his final major meet, the 1966 European Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Taitt was unable to make the final of the 110 metres hurdles.[7]

Taitt died on 18 October 2006 in Croydon, Greater London, England at the age of 72.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Profile of Laurie Taitt". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  2. ^ "Results of the men's 120 yards hurdles at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  3. ^ Our Athletics Correspondent (14 September 1962). "Miss Hyman 100 Metres Champion of Europe". The Times. London: Times Newspapers Ltd. p. 3. {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
  4. ^ "Results of the men's 120 yards hurdles at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  5. ^ "Results of the men's high jump at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Archived from the original on 8 April 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  6. ^ "Results of the men's 120 yards hurdles at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games". CGF. Retrieved 8 July 2014.
  7. ^ "Little for Britain to celebrate". The Sunday Times. London: Times Newspapers Ltd. 4 September 1966. p. 20.