Kenneth Sandilands Duncan * 26 April 1912 † 18 June 2005

Kenneth Sandilands DUNCAN, known as "Sandy" to all in the Olympic movement has died at the age of 93. He was Secretary of the British Olympic Association for a quarter of a century taking up office in 1949. By the time he retired from the post in 1975 the Olympic movement had changed dramatically. Educated at Malvern College, DUNCAN was a noted schools athlete and an Oxford "Blue" in both Athletics and Football. A Long jumper and sprinter, he won his first Great Britain Athletics vest, but although selected for the Berlin , a hamstring injury prevented him from competing. He was, however, invited by Evan HUNTER, the long time Honorary Secretary of the British Olympic Association to join the delegation as part of the headquarters staff and thus began his long association with the BOA and the Olympic Movement. After the Second World War DUNCAN taught at Bradfield College and became a AAAs coach, helping to set up a national scheme with Geoff DYSON. His career in administration began at the Universities Athletic Union and he actively coached competitors for the 1948 Olympic Games in , including Dorothy MANLEY who initially came to him to be and the European National Olympic Committees. coached in high jump. He persuaded her to change "Ask Sandy" became a familiar phrase echoing to the 100 metres and at that event she won silver down the corridors of Olympic power whenever a behind the redoubtable Fanny BLANKERS-KOEN. matter of history or Olympic regulation arose. DUNCAN'S Olympic involvement in 1948 is He was also long-time secretary of the worthy of note. He accompanied the Olympic Federation having won gold flame on its passage to London in a Rolls Royce! as part of the 4x100yds relay team in As secretary of the British Olympic Association 1938. He was awarded the MBE and later OBE for he shared a record with ISOH Member Wolf services to sport. LYBERG of Sweden the longest connection working Simon CLEGG, the Chief Executive of the BOA, with his National Olympic Committee. He was said: Chef de Mission at twelve Olympic celebrations, summer and winter beginning with the Games "It is with considerable sadness that we learnt of of Oslo and Helsinki in 1952 and ending at the the passing of Sandy Duncan over the weekend. Munich gathering in 1972 (during which he Sandy made a tremendous contribution to managed over 1200 British Olympic and Olympic British sport and was ahead of his time in Winter athletes). anticipating that professionalism in sport was Awarded the Olympic Order in 1984, his the way forward. He will be remembered with contribution to the Olympic Movement continued considerable affection by all who knew him." after his retirement with his work at the British Olympic Association's library and various ad hoc Philip Barker committees on the International Olympic Committee

78 JOURNAL OF OLYMPIC HISTORY 13(MAY/JUNE 2005)2