Australian Was University of Oregon's First Sub-Four Miler

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Jim Bailey, history's fifth sub-four minute miler and the first to do it on a U.S. track, died March 31 in Bellingham, Wash., according to a Facebook post by track historian Mike Fanelli. 

"SADDENED to report the passing of the University of Oregon's very first ever sub 4:00 miler...in fact, the first man to ever break that mythical barrier on U.S. soil.

Australian native and Olympic 800-meter man, Jim Bailey, had until recently, resided in Bellingham, Washington. He was in failing health, and sadly, left us on March 31st at age 92," Fanelli wrote.

On May 5, 1956, Bailey was part of a special mile race at the L.A. Coliseum in front of 40,000 fans when he surprisingly beat fellow Australian John Landy and ran 3:58.6. VIDEO OF RACE

Bailey, who came to the University of Oregon at age 26 to pursue a Geology degree, won the NCAA mile title in 1955, but was primarily an 800-meter specialist.

Bailey was in hospice care when he passed and his death has not been linked to the Coronavirus. He was inducted in to the University of Oregon Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.