I came from such a simple origin, without any great privilege, and I would say I also wanted to make a mark. It wasn't until I was about 15 that I appeared in a race.

Quote by Roger Bannister

Topics: Roger Bannister Quotes

My family actually lived in the same village for about 400 years. They had great...

My family actually lived in the same village for about 400 years. They had great...

Life was very simple. My parents had come from the North of England, which is...

Life was very simple. My parents had come from the North of England, which is...

I've always been very impatient. At age 10 I frankly found life boring, and I...

I've always been very impatient. At age 10 I frankly found life boring, and I...

My concentration was really on getting to university and becoming a doctor. My parents let...

My concentration was really on getting to university and becoming a doctor. My parents let...

I think that is a universal adolescent feeling, trying to find your place. The adolescent...

I think that is a universal adolescent feeling, trying to find your place. The adolescent...

It's a question of spreading the available energy, aerobic and anaerobic, evenly over four minutes....

It's a question of spreading the available energy, aerobic and anaerobic, evenly over four minutes....

My athleticism was really the core to social acceptance, because in those days the overwhelming...

My athleticism was really the core to social acceptance, because in those days the overwhelming...

Our house was bombed, and the roof fell in. We were sitting under the stairs...

Our house was bombed, and the roof fell in. We were sitting under the stairs...

The reason sport is attractive to many of the general public is that it's filled...

The reason sport is attractive to many of the general public is that it's filled...

The Athletic Association competed against the University. So there was an event. You cannot break...

The Athletic Association competed against the University. So there was an event. You cannot break...

Mothers, unless they were very poor, didn't work. Both of my parents had to leave...

Mothers, unless they were very poor, didn't work. Both of my parents had to leave...

I couldn't disappoint people. I did not want to fail and exhaust myself, because I...

I couldn't disappoint people. I did not want to fail and exhaust myself, because I...

I lived on the top of one hill and the school was at the top...

I lived on the top of one hill and the school was at the top...

If there was the opportunity to climb a mountain, or to go ballooning, or some...

If there was the opportunity to climb a mountain, or to go ballooning, or some...

I raced supremely well. I felt I was as well fitted to do it as...

I raced supremely well. I felt I was as well fitted to do it as...

I wanted to be a neurologist. That seemed to be the most difficult, most intriguing,...

I wanted to be a neurologist. That seemed to be the most difficult, most intriguing,...

You get very tired, and there was a certain amount of pain and you slow...

You get very tired, and there was a certain amount of pain and you slow...

May is a very early time in the year and the weather is usually bad....

May is a very early time in the year and the weather is usually bad....

Athletics is a luxury.

Athletics is a luxury.

I was playing rugby and the other games English school children do, and there was...

I was playing rugby and the other games English school children do, and there was...