Farewell tributes pour in for to Olympian Alf

Successful athlete and one time rugby player is remembered

- by Tony Durkin

Tribute has been paid to Olympian Alf Meakin, one of Blackpool's most distinguished former sportsmen, following his death, aged 87.

Alf was a member of the British sprint team at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, two years after he formed a quarter of the GB 4x100m team which won bronze at the European Championships, while he ended 1962 at the Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, helping England to gold in the 4x110yards relay. He was not part of the relay team in Tokyo, where he was not expected to compete at all after pulling a hamstring and spraining an ankle in the buildup to the Games.

But, aged 26, Alf defied the odds to earn a place in the team although, unable to compete to his highest standards, he had to settle for sixth place in his heat - but took away memories to be cherished for a lifetime.