This film is part of Free
Mining Review 22nd Year No. 1
We're off! Olympic training on the streets of Mansfield as local boy John Whetton prepares for the 1968 Mexico City games.
Overview
We're off! Olympic hopeful John Whetton hits the trails of Sherwood Forest and the pavements of Mansfield as he prepares to compete in the 1500m race at the 1968 Olympics. Whetton speeds gracefully through the deserted countryside, but you have to wonder if bustling shopping streets are the ideal place to set a new personal best.
A proficient middle-distance runner from a Nottinghamshire mining family, John Whetton began running at school and at Manchester University, competing in the mile and 1500m races. He took part in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and was a three-times winner of the 1500m at the European Indoor Games between 1966 and 1968. He made it to the 1500m final at the Mexico games, where he finished fifth.
Related
Flashing Blades Flashing Blades
Sport 1948 9 mins Silent
Tricky weather conditions cause some spills in the downhill and ski jumping at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St Moritz.
The Wheelchair Olympians The Wheelchair Olympians
Documentary 1983 25 mins Location: Cleckheaton
With the Paralympics even more marginalised than today, these athletes show great determination, dedication, camaraderie and humility.
Women's Olympiad Women's Olympiad
Non-Fiction 1924 3 mins Silent Location: Fulham
British "girl athletes" prove themselves in competition with women from around the world at Stamford Bridge.
Diving and Swimming Diving and Swimming
1926 14 mins Silent
Special effects galore in this demonstration of fancy swimming and diving, featuring Olympic medallist Belle White.
Olga Olga
Sport 1973 54 mins
A rare insight into gymnast Olga Korbut's life at the height of her fame, showing the discipline it takes to be an Olympic champion.
XIVth Olympiad - The Olympic Games at St Moritz XIVth Olympiad - The Olympic Games at St Moritz
Non-Fiction 1948 1 mins Silent
Speed skaters brave the weather to race round the track at the 1948 Olympic Games in St Moritz, Switzerland.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.