Story: Dutch

Sometimes called ‘the Flying Dutchman’, middle-distance runner Dick Quax broke the world record for the 5,000 metres and won two silver medals – for the 1,500 metres at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games in 1970, and for the 5,000 metres at the Montreal Olympics in 1976. Born in the Netherlands, he emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 1954. In later life he was an athletics coach and promoter, and served on Manukau City Council and Auckland Council.