Main photo (L-R) RA (Tony) Hughes, George Roberts-Jones and Bruce Morgan at a recent gathering of Old Oswestrians.

Sixty years ago British athletes were preparing to do battle in the Tokyo Olympics of 1964 and Tony Hughes (1952-60), understandably, had high hopes of his inclusion in this elite squad of possible medal winners. After all, in the time leading up to those games, Tony had beaten athletes such as Robbie Brightwell and Derek Ibbotson who held leading claims for inclusion in the Great Britain team.

Athletically speaking, Oswestry School's Captain of athletics ended his school days in 1960 on a high after collecting his fourth Victor Ludorum trophy, in the process of which he broke several school records, and back on the family farm in nearby Trefonen Tony decided to step up his training to further his athletics career.

Cutting taken from the Oswestry Advertizer of Sports Day, 1960.

As you can see from the report in the cutting above, my role was a minor one, merely collecting the spoils on behalf of good old Oswald.

In the selection of photos below Tony is captured mid-flight as he sailed over the bar to win the high jump final, and he is pictured breasting the tape in yet another track final at Park Hall Stadium in 1960.

In the third photograph I get in on the act again, but struggle along in second place whilst it looks like a stroll in the park for RAH!

RA Hughes' wining leap in the High Jump competition.

Another victory for Tony as he crosses the line on Sports Day, Park Hall Camp, 1960.

It looks like a second again for David Pickup. What happened to the running whites?

As we approach the opening of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris I am reminded that sixty years ago Tony Hughes' aspirations to be part of the British effort to bring back medals for Great Britain were dashed by the British Olympic committee who opted to select tried and tested athletes rather than take a chance on athletes hitherto untested at this level. This decision to ignore athletes, like RA Hughes, who were in the form of their lives caused a furore in the press who accused the committee of cronyism and backward thinking, and Tony Hughes felt he was never allowed to fulfil his potential. I had a great deal of sympathy for my old friend, and went so far as to suggest to him that if he had been a member of one of the more fashionable clubs his chances of selection might have been greater. Tony just shrugged and gave me a wan smile.

All our best wishes go out to Tony Hughes in his battle to regain robust health.