1932 Olympic Cyclists (2007)

Three of Victoria's leading bike racers and their coach formed half of our country's eight-man cycling team at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. After bettering the Games qualifying times, Lew Rush, Glen Robbins and Stan Jackson were issued their red-&-white maple-leaf crested uniforms. They made, and paid, their own ways to L.A. where they reported being awed by the facilities, the crowds (105,000 at the Opening Ceremonies), and their European competition. Canada's best result was a 6th place finish in the team pursuit event, which was held on a banked wooden track at the Pasadena Rose Bowl. Rush finished only 2.6 seconds off the individual gold medal sprint time, and in the 62-mile road race, Robbins (who would go on to become Saanich Fire Chief) was only the third North American to cross the finish line but 18th over all. Stan Jackson, who had gone as an alternate, finished three riders behind him. Their coach and the fourth Victoria team-member was World Champion professional racer 'Torchy' Peden.