Summary

Pair of white socks worn as part of a track suit outfit by Governor John Landy during the Opening Ceremony of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on 15 March 2006. He was the final baton relay participant after its journey across the Commonwealth, and passed the baton to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Physical Description

Pair of white socks, ankle length, ribbed around mouth.

Significance

Governor John Landy's participation in the relay was significant for two reasons. He is famous for having been the second man ever to have run a mile in less than four minutes, but the lynch pin of his fame as a middle distance runner in Australia comes from having stopped during the 1956 Australian National Championships to help Ron Clarke who had fallen after having his heel clipped by another runner. Landy, who had been leading when he stopped, made up the ground he lost to win the race. At the 1956 Olympic Games, held in Melbourne, he took the oath on behalf of all competitors, and won a bronze medal in the 1,500 metres event. Through his participation in the Opening Ceremony, Melbourne's two largest ever sporting events were linked.

The other significant aspect of Landy's participation is that he was Governor of Victoria at the time of the Games. Landy was made a member of the Order of the British Empire in 1955 and was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Her Majesty in 2006. Given the Imperial origins of the Commonwealth Games, the symbolism of the local represenatative of the Queen of Australia presenting the Baton to Her Majesty seems entirely appropriate.

More Information