John FitzSimons

For the footballer and doctor, see John Fitzsimons (footballer).

John FitzSimons

Personal information
Nationality	British (English)
Born	12 February 1943 Abingdon-on-Thames, England
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event	javelin throw
Club	St Marys College AC
Medal record Representing   England Commonwealth Games 1966 Kingston Javelin throw 1970 Edinburgh Javelin throw

John Henry FitzSimons (born 12 February 1943) is a British former track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw and was a gold medallist at the Commonwealth Games.

Biography

FitzSimons became the British javelin throw champion after winning the British AAA Championships title at the 1964 AAA Championships ^[1] and was runner-up to Finland's Jorma Kinnunen at the 1966 AAA Championships. ^{[2] [3]}

In August of 1966, he represented England at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning the gold medal with a games record throw of 79.78 m (261 ft 8+3⁄4 in). ^[4]

He is a former British record holder and was the first British man to throw the javelin beyond eighty metres. ^[5] His personal best is 81.92 m (268 ft 9 in). ^[6]

As well as his 1966 gold, he returned to win a bronze medal at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games, helping England to the first ever medal sweep of the javelin by a nation, alongside compatriots Dave Travis and John McSorley. ^[7] He represented Great Britain at the 1966 European Athletics Championships but ranked only 22nd overall. ^[8]

He also played minor counties cricket for Berkshire from 1960–1962, making eight appearances in the Minor Counties Championship. ^[9]

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
1966	British Empire and Commonwealth Games	Kingston, Jamaica	1st	79.78 m GR
	European Championships	Budapest, Hungary	22nd	68.86 m
1970	British Commonwealth Games	Edinburgh, United Kingdom	3rd	73.20 m

References

1. "White City round-up" . The People. 12 July 1964. Retrieved 8 May 2025– via British Newspaper Archive.
2. "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
3. "AAA Championships (men)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
4. Commonwealth Games: Men’s javelin. Athletics Weekly (2014-07-23). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
5. Track Stats - Colin Smith Britain's javelin maestro: almost 60 years of competition and coaching. NUTS (December 2011). Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
6. John FitzSimons. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
7. COmmonwealth Games (Men). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
8. Men Javelin Throw Athletics VIII European Championships 1966 Budapest (HUN) - Friday 02.09. Todor66. Retrieved on 2016-03-16.
9. "Minor Counties Championship Matches played by John FitzSimons" . CricketArchive. Retrieved 6 February 2019.