Alex Connell

Speed skater Alex Connell had been representing Scotland since 1953 when he won the first of three successive Scottish one-mile titles. He captured the British title in 1956 and that year went to the Cortina Winter Olympics where he competed in the 500, 1,500, and 5,000 metres, but was well out of the medals on each occasion.

Captain of the Ayr speed skating team, Connell won not only the mile but other Scottish titles, including the half-mile. He was also the British half-mile champion at the time of the Cortina Games. Connell held British records at every distance from one to five miles.

In 1961 Connell was in the four-man Ayr team that knocked 17 seconds off the world indoor three miles (unpaced) record with 7 min 45.2.

Personal Bests: 500 – 45.2 (1956); 1500 – 2:21.4 (1956); 5000 – 8:35.1 (1956).