Tributes have poured in for legendary Australian athlete and former Victorian governor John Landy, who has died at the age of 91.
Landy was the second man to break the revered four-minute barrier for the mile in 1954.
He won bronze in the 1,500 metres at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and held the world record over that distance during his career.
Landy was also involved in what became known as the "Miracle Mile" when he famously finished second to Roger Bannister at the 1954 Vancouver British Empire and Commonwealth Games.
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman was among those in the Australian athletics community to pay tribute to Landy.
"A true athlete, scholar and gentleman. Rest In Peace," Freeman tweeted.
Australian world championships gold medallist Rob de Castella described Landy as an "inspiration".
World Athletics president Sebastian Coe — a two-time Olympic 1,500m gold medallist — said Landy was one of the great pioneers of the golden age of middle-distance running in the 1950s.
"He lit the spark that led to the legendary chase for the four-minute mile between 1952 and 1954 and was one of main protagonists in that quest," said Coe, who held the mile world record during his illustrious career.
"Ultimately Roger Bannister got there first but was also the first to recognise that Landy's excellence inspired him to reach that historic landmark.
"Landy followed up by breaking Bannister's world record in Finland just six weeks later.
Landy is most famously remembered for his performance in the mile final at the 1956 Australian championships at Melbourne's Olympic Park.
Both his talent and sportsmanship came into play when during the race a number of athletes fell in the third lap, with future Olympic medallist Ron Clarke among them.
Landy stopped to check if Clarke was uninjured, before deciding to chase down the leaders to win the event.
The performance is often considered one of the greatest moments in Australian sporting folklore and was voted the finest sporting moment of the century at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Gala in 1999.
Athletics Australia president Jan Swinhoe said Landy's contribution to Australian athletics was immeasurable.
"We are incredibly saddened to learn of John's passing, and our sincere condolences are with Lynne, Alison and Matt, as well as the many people within the athletics community who were touched by John's talent and humility," Swinhoe said.
"John knew what it took to excel at the highest level, and his determination to reach new heights has inspired generations of Australian distance runners.
"His athleticism was only matched by his sportsmanship and his service to others, and those qualities have allowed him to leave behind a powerful legacy."
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates said Landy personified the values of the Olympic movement in every respect.
"If Australia needed a role model, it is John Landy," Coates said.
"He was a pioneer and his rivalry with Roger Bannister, as the pair closed on the sub-four-minute mark for the mile, captured not only Australia's imagination, but that of the world."
Coates said such was Landy's standing, he was selected to read the Athlete's Oath at the opening ceremony of the Melbourne Olympics.
"There could not have been a more appropriate figure to recite the oath," he said.
As a Victorian, at the MCG, at the first Olympic Games to be held in the southern hemisphere, it was quite a moment."
Outside of sport, Landy was also the 26th governor of Victoria from 2001 to 2006.
AAP/ABC
