WHEN Roger Bannister hit the tape at the Iffley Road sports ground, he quickly became aware that he had run straight into the ranks of the sporting immortals.

On May 6, 1954, he became the first athlete to run a mile in less than four minutes, with his time of 3mins 59.4secs.

In 1994, 12 of the world's greatest milers gathered at the Oxford running track to commemorate the former medic's record-breaking run.

"I hope to be around for the 50th anniversary celebrations," said Sir Roger, 69, who lives in north Oxford. " I still get great pleasure out of what I achieved on that day because it brings me into contact with all sorts of sportsmen and I enjoy that very much."

Memories of his stunning achievement as a 25-year-old remain clear. In his autobiography, First Four Minutes, he recalls the most memorable few minutes of his life.

He wrote: "The arms of the world were waiting to receive me if only I reached the tape without slackening my speed. If I faltered, there would be no arms to hold me and the world would be a cold, forbidding place, because I had been so close."

He described the sensation of crossing the finishing line. "I felt like an exploded flashlight with no will to live. I knew that I had done it even before I even heard the time." Now Sir Roger, a former master of Pembroke College, wants to inspire other young athletes to mirror his world-famous achievement.

One of the stopwatches that timed his sub-four minute mile is being auctioned later this month. In stark contrast, however, Sir Roger has no intention of selling off his own valuable trophies and souvenirs.

He has given all his athletics memorabilia on permanent loan to Pembroke College, where it is being displayed in a 14ft-long cabinet in the library.

"The display includes all my trophies, certificates, stopwatches, books and photographs associated with my running career, including memorabilia from the day I set the record.

"I wanted to put the items on display rather than keep them at home because I hope they will provide inspiration for students in years to come.

"The library is also secure and by arrangement with the lodge, members of the public will also be able to view the display."

Sir Roger said he thought it was "sad" that one of the stopwatches which recorded his time is to be auctioned later this month.

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