About Norman Read
Lived 1931 – 1994 (aged 62). Norman Read was a New Zealand and British athletics competitor.
Norman Richard Read (13 August 1931 – 22 May 1994) was a New Zealand racewalker. Born in Portsmouth, England, Read emigrated to New Zealand in 1953. The self-proclaimed "Pommie-Kiwi" competed for New Zealand at the 1956 Olympics in the 50 km walk where he won the gold medal. For this achievement he was voted New Zealand’s Sportsman of the Year. Read also took part in the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, finishing fifth in the 20 km walk and abandoning the 50 km race. He won a bronze medal in the 20 mile walk at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, which was his last international tournament.
Read died of a heart attack during a veteran's bike race in Pirongia.
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Important facts
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Norman Read's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Norman Read?
New Zealand racewalker (1931-1994)
When was Norman Read born?
Norman Read was born on 13 August 1931 in Portsmouth.
When did Norman Read die?
Norman Read died on 22 May 1994 in Pirongia.
What was Norman Read's occupation?
Norman Read was an athletics competitor.
What nationality was Norman Read?
Norman Read was New Zealand and British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Norman Read. https://biography.guide/norman-read/
MLA: "Norman Read." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/norman-read/.
Chicago: "Norman Read." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/norman-read/.
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