The Games headed back to Canada where it witnessed its greatest ever moment – The ‘Miracle Mile’. 

Three months earlier Sir Roger Bannister, the middle distance legend, had achieved fame for running one mile in less than four minutes, but by the start of the Commonwealth Games he had lost his record to Australian John Landy. The Games brought the two together and history was made. 

Landy had led for most of the race and even built a 10 yard gap on the penultimate lap, but with precious little distance left decided to look over his shoulder and see where Bannister was. 

Bannister overtook on the opposite side and never relinquished the lead, claiming the gold medal and a place in Commonwealth Games folklore.