Brendan Gallagher begins a series on the star man at each global gathering

Being the first in anything often confers iconic status on those involved. Sir Roger Bannister, Hillary and Tenzing – or should that be Tenzing and Hillary? – Neil Armstrong to name but three. There have probably been greater milers in history, more successful and technically accomplished mountaineers and more accomplished all-round astronauts but timing can be everything.
Being the first to reach a milestone or smash through a perceived barrier counts for much. Right man, right place, right time. The eternal trilogy...