Richard Honner

Richard St John Honner (30 November 1897 – 10 November 1962) was an Australian surgeon, gynaecologist, obstetrician and an Olympic athlete. He competed in the men's 400 metres and the long jump at the 1924 Summer Olympics.

Early life and athletics

Born in Maitland, South Australia his family moved when he was a child to Junee, New South Wales. Honner was educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill. While studying medicine at the University of Sydney, Honner trained as a hurdler and long-jumper and was selected for the 1924 Paris Olympics. He finished in overall equal fourteenth place in the long jump and placed third in his heat in the 400m and did not progress. Before he left Australia he set an Australian long jump record which stood for 27 years. While conducting his medical post-graduate qualifications in England, Honner continued to compete in track and field. In 1925 he won the broad jump title at the English National Championship setting a new British record. He defended that title and bettered the British record in 1926.