John McNiven was an all-time great of Scottish weightlifting who won titles by the barrowload. He represented both Scotland and Britain with distinction over a long top-class career which featured competing in six consecutive Commonwealth Games from 1966 to 1986. In a sport whose very nature usually precludes top level participation beyond the mid-30s, John was a remarkable 51 when he took his bow at Edinburgh’s 1986 Games, prompting him to remark he was “lifting against rivals the same age as his grandchildren”.
Nor was his presence a token appearance as he secured a highly respectable fourth place, defeating the British champion in the process. At the same time he and son John Jr. made Games history by becoming the first father and son to appear in the same sport at the same Games.
Highlights of his career included two Commonwealth Games bronze medals at flyweight in 1970 and 1974 in Edinburgh and Christchurch respectively, 25 consecutive Scottish Championship and seven British Championship titles, numerous Scottish and British international ‘caps’ throughout the world, competing from Canada to New Zealand and USA to China i indeed in all continents apart from South America – and participating in two World Championships in Warsaw and Ohio in 1969 and 1970 respectively. After the 1986 Games he did not hang up his weightlifter’s belt but continued with his customary dedication and determination, concentrating on Masters’ Championships in which he competed in 1.