Dr. Robert McFarlane was one of the world’s fastest 400m runners toward the end of the 1940’s and into the early 1950’s. In 1947 he set a Canadian record at both 400m and 440 yard distances with a time of 47.5 in the latter. These records remained on the Canadian list until they were broken in 1960 and 1961, respectively. Robert’s equal 6th place on the world year-end rankings helped him earn the Canadian AAU’s Davies Trophy, awarded to the top Track & Field athlete of the year.

Robert was also world ranked in the 400 at 10th in 1946, equal 11th in 1948 and equal 12th in 1950.

He was selected to the 1948 Olympic team where he was given the honour of being the flag bearer for the Canadian team.

Robert also excelled at football and in 1950, was awarded the inaugural Lou Marsh Trophy, as the top Canadian male athlete in any sport. He was later inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame.