Sir Roger Bannister, the first athlete to run a sub-four minute mile, has died aged 88 in Oxford, his family have said.
A statement released on behalf of Sir Roger's family said: "Sir Roger Bannister, died peacefully in Oxford on 3rd March 2018, aged 88, surrounded by his family who were as loved by him, as he was loved by them.
"He banked his treasure in the hearts of his friends."
Bannister, aided by Sir Christopher Chataway and Chris Brasher as pacemakers, achieved the feat by running three minutes 59.4 seconds at the Iffley Road track on May 6, 1954.
Bannister, who also won a Commonwealth and European Championship gold medal that year, went on to become a leading neurologist.
He was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2011.
No cause of death was given today.
In 2014, the athletics legend revealed he had Parkinson’s disease, on the eve of the 60th anniversary of his record-breaking run.
Sir Roger was struggling to walk at the time.
But the retired neurologist, who treated Parkinson’s sufferers, said: “I do not want to make a fuss.
"I make as light of it as I can.
“Just consider the alternatives – that is the way I look at it.
"One of my pleasures in life, apart from running, has been walking.
"Intellectually I am not [degenerating] and what is walking anyway?”
Sir Roger ran the mile in 3 minutes 59.4 seconds at Iffley Road sports ground in Oxford, a feat many believed no man would achieve.
Drugs, therapies and surgery can control symptoms, which include shaking, stiffness and restricted movement, but there is currently no cure.
Sir Roger said in a radio interview: “There’s a gentle irony to it… as a neurologist, I treated a lot of people with it.”
He added: “It will take some time before a breakthrough, but the management and drug treatments are improving.”
