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John is a retired English athlete. He mainly competed in the 200 metres and was the first British athlete to run under 20 seconds for the distance. John still holds the UK record in this event. He also won two Olympic medals in the relay. The
The British 4x400 metres team from 1990, which John was a member of, set the European Championship record for the event. Since his retirement in 1999 he has worked in the media and sports management industry.
John was unusual in that, though primarily a 200 m runner, he was more than able to hold his own over 400 m - in a time before Michael Johnson made the 200/400 double a possibility. In particular, Regis formed an integral part of Great Britain's 4x400 m relay team, running the third leg in the team's famous unexpected victory over the USA (and everyone else) at the World Championships in Tokyo in 1991.
John Regis was one of the foremost characters in the golden era of British athletics in the late 80s and early 90s, alongside Linford Christie, Sally Gunnell, Colin Jackson, Tony Jarrett . Although he had a winning, effervescent personality, he was perhaps most memorable for his enormous chest (earning him the nickname "two chests"), particularly when drawn in the inside lane in the 200 m, when his uncommon bulk made the tight bend difficult to negotiate.
Regis was awarded an MBE for services to athletics. He has now retired to Biggin Hill, South London. In 1989, Regis opened an all-weather running track at Wellesley Recreation Ground , Great Yarmouth.
In 2001, John and his wife Jennifer Stoute, celebrated the birth of their first child, Alicia.
Like many of Britain`s top athletes we are very proud that John Regis continues his support of Super Schools.
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