The suit will be showcased at the World Athletics Heritage Olympic Athletics Display at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.

Walker made the donation on the 44^th anniversary of his 2000 metres world record of 4min 51.4sec, which he set on June 30 1976 at the Bislett Games in Oslo.

The event came in the build-up to the Montreal 1976 Olympic Games, where Sir John triumphed in the men’s 1500m final in a time of 3:39.17.

He had dominated the mile the previous year by running and winning eight races in under four minutes.

Sir John was also the first man to run under 3:50, when he achieved a world record of 3:49.4 in Gothenburg on August 12 1975.

The New Zealand star finished his career having recorded 135 sub four-minute miles.

World Athletics said Sir John’s warm-up kit from Edinburgh 1986 features the silver fern, New Zealand’s national symbol.

He competed in the 5000m in Edinburgh, where he placed fifth.

"Having seen the work being done to record and honour our sport’s history, I’m delighted to donate my warm-up suit to the Heritage Collection," Sir John said.

"Through its preservation and public display, I hope the suit helps to create interest in running for generations to come."

In addition to his Olympic title, Walker earned silver medals in the 1500m at the 1974 and 1982 Commonwealth Games, which took place in Christchurch and Brisbane respectively.

He also won bronze in the 800m in Christchurch.

Sir John was awarded the Olympic bronze order in 1996 and was appointed Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2009.