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![]() British relay team at the 1920 Olympics, Ainsworth-Davis is 2nd left | ||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||
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Born | 23 April 1895 Aberystwyth, Wales | |||||||||||
Died | 3 January 1976 (aged 80) Stockland, Devon, England | |||||||||||
Alma mater | University of Cambridge | |||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||
Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||
Event | 400 m | |||||||||||
Club | University of Cambridge | |||||||||||
Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||
Personal best | 400 m – 50.0e (1920)[1][2] | |||||||||||
Medal record
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John Creyghton Ainsworth-Davis (23 April 1895 – 3 January 1976) was a Welsh surgeon and sprint runner who won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 m relay at the 1920 Summer Olympics.[3]
John Ainsworth-Davis studied at Westminster School. During World War I he first served as a captain with the Rifle Brigade and then as pilot in the Royal Flying Corps.[citation needed]
At the 1920 Summer Olympics Ainsworth-Davis ran the third leg for the British 4 × 400 m relay team, which won the event. He also competed in the individual 400 m, to replace Cecil Griffiths who fell ill, and finished fifth.[1][4]
After graduating from University of Cambridge Ainsworth-Davis studied medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital and played music at a nightclub to support his family. He could not make time for sport, and retired from competitions after placing fourth in the 440 yards at the 1921 AAA Championships. He became a respected urological surgeon and the Secretary of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM). During World War II he was head of the surgical division of RAF Hospital Cosford.[1] Later he served as Secretary and President of the Hunterian Society (1958) and Secretary of the RSM.[citation needed]
Ainsworth-Davis married Marguerite C. Wharry in 1920, with whom he had three children: Mary (1923), John Christopher (1924) (an actor/director/author who wrote under the pen name of Christopher Creighton and used the name John Ainsworth in the theatrical world),[5][6] and Jennifer (1930).