John CANN

John Cann competed in the 1956 Olympic decathlon when he was only 17-years-old. A sporting prodigy, Cann was 1952 Australian All-Schools U-14 Champion in the 100 and 220 yards, won the 1954 Australian Sub-Junior titles in the 100 and 440 yards, and was 1955 Australia Junior Champion at 220 yards. He also played three codes of rugby league for Tumbarumba.

Cann later became known as the Snake Man. His father, George Cann, Sr., had run snake shows in the Australian outback and John Cann continued the tradition. He ran snake shows in La Perouse, at the Snake Pit, for over 45 years, and also served as curator of reptiles at the Taronga Zoo in Sydney.In 1992 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of services to the community.

Personal Best: Dec – 6544 (1956).