Sir, – The reported death of Australian runner Albie Thomas (Sport, October 30th) brought back memories of that wonderful evening in August 1958. With hundreds of others, I queued outside the Carlton Cinema for the special buses to Santry Stadium. The buzz of excitement was added to by Billy Morton who exhorted us by loudhailer to "Kindly infiltrate up to the back of the terrace". We did and soon 20,000 sardines roared home the five athletes who magically broke the four-minute mile barrier. What a privilege it was to be there on such a historic occasion.
By the end of the evening Billy was out again with his loudhailer appealing to us not to damage his beloved track by bringing home matchboxes full of souvenir cinders. I was too busy chasing the “Famous Five” for their autographs – and was successful on all counts. I was 16 years old and it was, to quote Lou Reed, “a perfect day”. God rest you, Albie. – Yours, etc,
JOHN QUINN,
Stradbally North,
Clarinbridge,
Co Galway.