Merwyn George LINCOLN

Merv Lincoln was one of the world’s great milers in the last half of the 1950s but had the misfortune to be competing at the same time as his countryman, Herb Elliott. Lincoln ran the 1,500 metres at Melbourne in 1956, placing 12th in the final. In 1957 he finished second to Elliott at the Australian Championships. Lincoln’s best year was 1958 when he won a silver medal at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, again finishing behind Elliott. In Dublin, on 6 August 1958 Lincoln ran 3:55.9 for the mile, more than a second under the world record but, unfortunately, Elliott was also in the race, and shattered the world record with 3:54.5. Lincoln, who was coached by Franz Stampfl, was ranked second in the world for 1958, but he never managed an Australian or an international because of always having to compete against Herb Elliott. Lincoln died after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:42.0 (1957).