Cyril Evans

Cyril Vardon Evans, also known as Don Evans, was a New Zealand track and field athlete who competed in races from 400 metres to 1,500 metres. Evans was born in the rural community of Taihape where he participated in professional athletics meetings, as no amateur meets were organised in the locality. He won three races at a professional meet in March 1929, but was later reinstated as an amateur athlete by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association. As an amateur Evans won the 880 yards and 1 mile titles at the 1930 national amateur athletics championships. Due to his brief career as a professional, however, he was not selected to represent New Zealand at the 1930 British Empire Games in Canada. In 1931 he won the 440 yards and 880 yards titles at the national championships. Later the same year his prior professional status was brought up in discussions regarding his eligibility to compete at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. Eventually Evans was declared eligible to represent New Zealand and ran in the 800 metres at the Los Angeles Games. Three years later he won his fifth and final national title with victory in the 880 yards.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:54.1y (1931).