William's Story
1903-1964
Tickle Whyte was Australia’s best middle distance runner since Edwin Flack. He competed in the 800 metres and 1500 metres, Flack’s principal Olympic events, at Amsterdam 1928. His best result was ninth in the longer race. Two years later, Whyte defeated Otto Peltzer, in races over 880 yards and one mile, during the famous German’s tour of Australia. Peltzer had held the world record for the 800 metres in the 1920s and at the time was the current world record holder for the 1500 metres.
Somewhat sensationally, Whyte was omitted from the original team selected to attend the Empire Games in Hamilton, Canada in 1930, but he made the team when sprinter Jimmy Carlton withdrew. Whyte won a silver medal in the mile at Hamilton. He turned to professional running in the mid-1930s.
