 Just before those games, he was one of many signatories in a letter to "The Times" on 17 July 1958 opposing 'the policy of apartheid' in international sport and defending 'the principle of racial equality which is embodied in the Declaration of the Olympic Games'.He also played rugby football at school, Wanstead County Grammar, as a fly half (No 10 these days) and as a 17 or 18 year old schoolboy performed at full-back for the men's Eastern Counties side with distinction.Many believe that had he not chosen athletics he could well have had a future in the England 15.