Donal Smith

Donal Smith represented New Zealand at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in the 880 yards. He was second in his heat in 1:52.8 and fifth in the final in 1:51.5.

He competed at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games along with Sir Peter Snell in the 800m. He won his heat in 1:51.7 and was fourth in the quarter-final in 1:48.4 and did not advance to the semi-finals. Snell was second in his quarter-final in a slower time of 1:48.6 and went through to the semis and on to win the Gold medal in the final.

After Rome Smith continued his running for the Toronto Olympic Club setting Canadian 800m and 800m indoor records in 1963.

He was President of the Auckland University Track Club, received a New Zealand University Blue 1955-56 and an Oxford University Blue in 1959. He held the Oxford Cambridge 880 yards match record, toured USA and Canada in 1957 with the Oxford Cambridge athletic team. He equalled Doug Harris’ New Zealand 880 yards record of 1:49.4 in London in August 1958.