Barrie Kelly

Who is Barrie Kelly?

Barrie Kelly is a former sprinter from Bury, United Kingdom. He was born on the 2 August 1940. He was a member of Bury and Radcliffe athletic club.

Between 1965 and 1973 he won 2 gold, 5 silver and 1 bronze medal in the AAA indoor 60 metres/60 yards, missing out on the medals only in 1970. In the 100 yards at the AAA championships he won a gold, silver and 2 bronzes between 1965 and 1968. His biggest success was in winning the 60 metres at the 1966 European Indoor Games, setting a British record in the semi-final.

He also competed at 2 commonwealth games 1966 in Jamaica and 1970 in Edinburgh, 2 European championships 1966 in Budapest and 1969 in Athens and the Mexico Olympics.

He suffered from asthma and didn't take up athletics till he was 22. He never told the British Amateur Athletic Board of his asthma, afraid he would miss being selected for the Mexico Olympic Games, and other overseas trips. He went on to represent Great Britain on 33 occasions, which was a record for a sprinter at that time. He also captained the British Men's Team on several occasions. He had a very successful career in the brewing industry, retiring at the age of 65.