The author critically debunks the "Bannister Effect," arguing Roger Bannister's sub-four-minute mile wasn't a psychological breakthrough. Instead, it was an ordinary athletic feat whose fame was amplified by British media, fostering increased participation. The article contends the "psychological barrier" was a media construct, likely breached by 1500m runners much earlier. It highlights how influential media can create and perpetuate myths, often over-analyzing simple phenomena to support flawed motivational narratives, ensuring the myth endures despite contrary evidence.