David Johnson (sprinter)

David Johnson (born 1931) is an Australian former athlete who specialised in sprinting.[1][2]

David Johnson

Personal information
Born	1931 (1931) Marrickville, Sydney, Australia
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Sprinting
Medal record Representing  Australia British Empire Games 1950 Auckland 4 × 110 y relay 1950 Auckland 220 yards

Born in Sydney, Johnson studied at Canterbury Boys High School and after the war moved down to Wollongong, where he attended Wollongong High School. In 1949 he ran the fastest ever 100 yard race on record by an Australian schoolboy, clocking 9.7 seconds at the New South Wales All Schools Championships.[3]

Johnson was a NSW state junior champion in both the 100 yards and 220 yards.[3]

In 1950, Johnson competed at the British Empire Games in Auckland and won two medals, a silver in the 220 yard sprint and a gold as a member of the 4 × 110 yards relay team. He was the youngest athlete in the Australian squad.[3]

A few months after returning from Auckland, Johnson was diagnosed with polio. He made a brief comeback in 1951 after recovering but was unable to regain his previous pace and retired at the age of 21.[4]