LONDON (AFP) - Derek Johnson who took 800 metres Olympic silver in 1956 in what has been described as one of the most thrilling races in the Games history has died aged 71.
Johnson was edged out of gold by American Tom Courtney by 0.1sec in Melbourne, where he had also gained notoriety and his nickname of the 'Angry Young man' of British athletics because he objected to the daily allowances for the athletes.
He was instrumental also later as an administrator in successfully fighting against then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's calls for the team to boycott the Moscow Olympics following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.
"When she (Thatcher) calls on the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) to stop trading with the Soviet Union over Afghanistan, then maybe we'll reconsider our position," he said at the time.
Britain went on to have a hugely successful Olympics with the golden generation of British athletes like decathlete Daley Thompson, middle distance greats Steve Ovett, Sebastian Coe and Alan Wells, in the 100m taking gold.
Johnson, who married twice and had one daughter, was equally as forthright about his defeat at the hands of Courtney, in an oft repeated story about their conversation when they bumped into each other two days after the final.
"I've run that race a thousand times since Monday, Tom, and beat you every time," said Johnson.
"Yeah. I've done that too and, Derek, I just ate you up," replied Courtney.