Ken Matthews competing at Leicester Sports Centre in 1972.
Ken Matthews took part in the 1960 Olympics, but failed to finish
the 20 km race. However, in 1962 he won the European Championship 20k walk
in Belgrade and then two years later he achievement the ultimate challenge when
won the 20k walk at the 1964 Olympic Games in a new Olympic record of 1.29:34.
He won the Race Walking Association Championship 10 miles title in 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963,
and 1964 in a career that included 17 National Championships.
A member of Royal Sutton Coldfield Walking Club, Matthews was president of the Race Walking
Association in London 2012 Olympic year. Between 1964 to 1971 he held every British record
from 5 miles to 2 hours, including a 10-mile world best of 69:40.6.
Born and brought up in Birmingham, Mr Matthews trained by walking around the Hams Hall
power station, where he worked as an electrician. He and his wife Sheila moved to Wrexham
in the 1960s, and for many years he worked as a manager in the town’s Rogers and Jackson.