Loaring Classic Honours Great Local Athletes

On August 3, 1936, Johnny Loaring stood on the podium in Berlin, Germany and accepted a silver medal for Canada. It was his 21st birthday, and despite his youth, finished second only by three-tenths of a second behind world record Glenn Hardin in the 400m hurdles at the Olympics.

This past weekend dozens of the top athletes through Canada and the United States took part in the Johnny Loaring Classic, hosted by the University of Windsor Athletics.

It was a chance to see some of the best and future brightest but it was also an opportunity to pay honour to one of Windsor’s greatest athletes.

Loaring was born in Winnipeg and after moving to Windsor fought off rheumatic fever to excel in sports at Kennedy Collegiate Institute before heading to the University of Western Ontario.

His athletic prowess has earned him entry into the Canadian Olympic, Canadian Amateur Athletic, Windsor/Essex County, University of Western Ontario, UWO Track and Field and the Canadian Sports Halls of Fame.

A distinguished member of the navy in WW II, Loaring saved three lives in September 1940 after a ship was torpedoed. He elevated to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander and was in command of the Canadian Radar Training School.

Saturday at the University of Windsor’s track and field complex, Loaring’s son John was pleased to present medals to the elementary school athletes who competed in the relay race. Several members of the Loaring family attended as did famed Lancers’ coach Dennis Fairall.

Several events were held including shot put, triple jump, javelin and track.