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Ann Packer
Ann Packer
Ann Packer
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Ann Elizabeth Packer MBE (born 8 March 1942) is an English former sprinter, hurdler and long jumper. She won a gold medal in the 800 metres and a silver in the 400 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics.[1]

Key Information

Biography

[edit]

In 1959 Packer won the English Schools 100 yards title. Next year she competed internationally in the long jump. She attended Didcot Girls' Grammar School (now Didcot Girls' School).

In 1962, she reached the finals in the 200 metres at the European Championships and in the 80 metres hurdles at the Commonwealth Games; she was also part of the 4 × 110 yards relay team that won two medals at these competitions.[2] In 1963 she focused on the 400 metres, and already by her fourth 400 m race ran a world-level time of 53.6 seconds.[1]

Packer became the national 440 yards champion after winning the British WAAA Championships title at the 1964 WAAA Championships.[3][4]

When she was selected for the 1964 British Olympic team Packer worked as a physical education teacher at Coombe County Girls' School, New Malden, Surrey. At the Olympics she shared a room with long jump gold medallist Mary Rand. Packer was hoping to win the 400 metres, but was beaten into second place by Betty Cuthbert of Australia, despite setting a new European record at 52.20 seconds. Disappointed, Packer planned to skip the 800 m event and have a shopping trip instead, until her fiancé, Robbie Brightwell persuaded her to compete. Before the Olympics, Packer only had five domestic 800 m races;[1] she had taken up a longer distance to improve her stamina, and earned the third British spot at the last minute.[2]

In her heat and semi-final Packer finished fifth and third, running 2:12.6 and 2:06.0 respectively, being beaten by French runner Maryvonne Dupureur, clocking 2:04.5 and 2:04.1. She thus started the final the second slowest of the eight contestants, having raced at the distance only seven times before. Packer was sixth at 400 m, lying behind Dupureur. She began her sprint to the finish with about 150 m to go, moved up to third at 100 m and took the lead in the final straight, using her sprinting speed to take the gold. She broke the world record with a time of 2:01.1 minutes.[5] Commenting on her win, Packer said "Middle-distance running for women was still in its infancy and the 800 m had only been run in Rome four years earlier for the first time. I knew nothing about the event but being so naive was probably to my advantage; it meant I did not have any limitations in my head regarding what I should or could do. Ignorance proved to be bliss."[2] Packer's winning performance is featured in Tokyo Olympiad, the official documentary of the games directed by Kon Ichikawa.

After winning the gold medal, she announced her retirement at the age of 22 and so had one of the shortest athletics careers of any Olympic gold medallist. It would be another forty years before another British woman, Kelly Holmes, would win the 800 m, despite British men being successful at the distance.

Later in the same Games, Robbie Brightwell won a silver medal in the 4 × 400 m relay. They married on 19 December 1964[6] and had three sons, Gary, a 400 m runner like his mother, and Ian and David, the latter two becoming footballers with Manchester City. She and Brightwell were each appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1965 New Year Honours for services to athletics.[7] In 2011 Brightwell published a book detailing their careers: Robbie Brightwell and his Golden Girl: The Posh and Becks of Yesteryear.[8] Packer now lives in Congleton in Cheshire.[2] She was widowed following Robbie's death in March 2022.[9]

In 2009, Packer was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame.[10] Ann was coached by Denis Watts and was a member of Reading Athletic Club when she was selected for the British Olympic team.

In 1966 Packer appeared in an experiment for the BBC TV history programme, Chronicle to see how far geese could walk in a day. She was chosen because however far the geese went, she would still be with them at the end.[11]

Packer's 800 m gold medal win at the Tokyo 1964 Summer Olympics is dramatically captured in the stunning documentary film Tokyo Olympiad (1965) directed by Kon Ichikawa. The race (and Packer celebrating with friends and loved ones after winning) is shown in its entirety starting at minute 59:30 of the film.

Athletic personal bests: 100 y 10.9 (1963), 10.8w (1960); 100 m 11.7w, 12.0 (1960), 200 m 23.7 (1964), 400 m 52.20 (1964), 800 m 2:01.1 (1964), 80 m h 11.4 (1960), HJ 1.60 (1959), LJ 5.92 (1960), Pen 4294 (old tables) (1963).[12]

Honours

[edit]

During the celebrations marking 750 years of Congleton's charter in 2022, a postbox in Congleton was painted gold by Royal Mail in Packer's honour.[13]

In 2023 a meeting room at the reopened Congleton leisure centre was named the Brightwell suite in honour of Ann and her late husband Robbie Brightwell.[14]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Ann Packer

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ann Elizabeth Packer MBE (born 8 March 1942) is a retired English sprinter, hurdler, and long jumper. She won a in the and a in the at the in , setting Olympic and European records respectively. Packer was a versatile athlete who also competed in the , 80 metres hurdles, and . She was appointed Member of the (MBE) in the .

Early Life

Childhood and Family Background

Ann Elizabeth Packer was born on 8 March 1942 in , , . She grew up in post-war Britain. This formative period laid the foundation for her later development, though her initial exposure to athletics came through school.

Education and Introduction to Athletics

Ann Packer attended Wallingford County Grammar School starting at age 11, where she demonstrated notable aptitude in physical education and showed signs of becoming a top-flight competitor. In 1958, following the reorganization of the school, the girls' section, including Packer, transferred to the newly opened (now Didcot Girls' School), where she continued her studies and sports involvement. Her initial exposure to athletics occurred through the school's programs, which introduced her to sprinting and jumping events, with teachers playing a pivotal role in fostering her interest and participation. Around the age of 16, Packer joined Reading Athletic Club, marking her formal entry into organized athletics under the tutelage of her first coach, Denis Watts. Watts designed a foundational training regimen that emphasized versatility, incorporating sprints, , and to build her all-around capabilities. Before 1959, Packer balanced her academic commitments with casual athletics pursuits at school, initially gravitating toward as her preferred discipline over longer distance events.

Athletic Career

Early Competitions and Development

Ann Packer burst onto the national athletics scene at the age of 17 by winning the English Schools 100 yards title in 1959, securing her first major recognition in the sport. This victory highlighted her early promise as a sprinter, building on her introduction to athletics during her school years. The following year, in 1960, she claimed the Women's Athletic Association (WAAA) long jump championship and made her international debut in the event during a match against , demonstrating her burgeoning versatility across field and track disciplines. Packer's breakthrough on the international stage came in 1962, when she competed in two major championships. At the European Championships in Belgrade, she advanced to the final of the 200 metres, finishing sixth with a time of 24.4 seconds, while also contributing to England's bronze medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay. Later that year at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, she reached the final of the 80 metres hurdles, placing fifth, and helped secure a silver medal for England in the 4 × 110 yards relay alongside teammates Dorothy Hyman, Daphne Arden, and Betty Moore, with a time of 46.6 seconds. These performances underscored her adaptability in sprints, hurdles, and relays, though she continued to experiment with events like the long jump during club competitions. Under the guidance of coach Dennis Watts, Packer's training evolved significantly by 1963, as she reluctantly incorporated middle-distance work to enhance her endurance for the , an event she had only recently taken up. This shift proved fruitful, as she ran a world-class 53.6 seconds in her fourth race at the distance that year and won the WAAA title. Her personal best of 23.7 seconds in the , set during this developmental phase, reflected her speed foundation, while early trials in the highlighted the challenges of transitioning from pure sprinting to longer efforts amid the demands of multi-event participation. Packer's versatility—spanning sprints, hurdles, , and relays—posed ongoing difficulties in event specialization, particularly during intensive club seasons where injury risks loomed large.

1964 Olympic Achievements

Ann Packer was selected for the team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics primarily for the 400 meters, where she had established herself as a top sprinter with the world's fastest time that year. Her entry into the 800 meters came as an afterthought to build stamina for the shorter distance, marking her first serious attempt at the event; she had run it only five times prior to the and was chosen as the third qualifier when only two others met the standard. During the pre-Games training camp in , logistical challenges arose, including disputes over facilities that her fiancé Robbie Brightwell helped resolve, but Packer felt mentally unprepared for the 800 meters, viewing it more as supplementary work than a competitive focus. In the women's 400 meters, Packer advanced through the heats and semifinals with strong performances, setting Olympic records in both rounds. In the final on , she employed a tactical approach leveraging her sprinting speed, staying close to the leaders before making key overtakes on the back straight to challenge the favorite, Australia's . Despite a valiant effort, Packer finished just behind Cuthbert, securing the in a European record time of 52.20 seconds to Cuthbert's of 52.00 seconds. Packer's 800 meters campaign began with uncertainty; she qualified as the slowest of eight in her heat (2:12.0) and second-slowest in the semifinal (2:06.4), learning basic tactics like cutting in on the during these rounds. In the final on —her debut at the distance internationally and only her eighth 800 meters race overall—she started conservatively per advice from her coach and Brightwell, holding sixth place at the bell before unleashing a powerful sprint on the home straight to overtake France's Maryvonne Dupureur, the pre-race favorite. This dramatic come-from-behind victory earned her the gold medal and set a of 2:01.1, shattering the previous mark by over three seconds. Packer's dual medals—silver in the 400 meters and gold in the 800 meters—made her Great Britain's most successful female athlete at the Tokyo Games, where the team won just three track medals in total. Her underdog triumph in the 800 meters, achieved with minimal prior experience, captured global attention and was portrayed in the media as a quintessential fairy-tale story of perseverance and surprise.

Retirement and Post-Competitive Reflections

Following her victory in the at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Ann Packer announced her retirement from competitive at the age of 22, opting instead for a normal life centered on family and career stability. This decision aligned with pre-Olympic plans she shared with her fiancé Robbie Brightwell, reflecting the nature of the at the time, where sustained professional opportunities were limited. Packer's athletic career concluded with notable personal bests, including 52.20 seconds in the and an Olympic and of 2:01.1 in the , both set during the Tokyo Games; she had also recorded 23.8 seconds for 200 yards earlier in 1964. She participated in no further competitions after the Olympics, marking one of the shortest tenures among Olympic gold medallists. In later interviews, Packer reflected on her unexpected success in the , an event she entered primarily to build stamina for the and had raced only a handful of times beforehand, expressing reluctance toward the specific it demanded. She described the victory as a surprise, born from a of relief after her silver rather than targeted ambition, highlighting how her intuitive approach led to breaking the . In 1966, Packer appeared on the programme Chronicle, participating in a historical experiment by walking geese daily to estimate the pace of ancient Roman supply marches, drawing on her post-Olympic fitness to simulate the physical demands of such tasks. Packer transitioned back to civilian life by resuming her teaching role in November 1964, for the 1964-1965 school year, where she prioritized work-life balance and the challenges of integrating with professional responsibilities over extending her competitive career.

Personal Life

Marriage and Family

Ann Packer married fellow British Olympian Robbie Brightwell on December 19, 1964, at Moulsford Church in , just months after their successes at the Tokyo Olympics. Brightwell, who served as captain of the British athletics team, had won a in the men's 4 × 400 m at the same Games. The couple's relationship was deeply intertwined with their athletic pursuits, as they often trained together leading up to the 1964 Olympics. During the Games, Brightwell provided crucial emotional support to Packer, encouraging her to compete in the 800 m event despite her initial reluctance after securing silver in the 400 m; his belief in her potential contributed to her unexpected victory in the longer distance. This mutual encouragement exemplified their partnership as Olympians, with Packer later reflecting on how their shared experiences strengthened their bond. Following the Olympics, Packer retired from competitive athletics at age 22 to prioritize family life, a decision aligned with Brightwell's own transition from elite competition. Packer and Brightwell had three sons—Gary (born 1965), Ian (born 1968), and (born 1971). The family emphasized athletic development, with the boys inheriting their parents' competitive spirit; Gary became a national junior champion in the 400 m, mirroring his mother's event, while and pursued professional football careers, both playing over 200 matches for Manchester City in the . Packer has described raising the children as a full-time endeavor, often keeping her Olympic medals out of sight in a drawer to allow them a normal upbringing amid their own sporting achievements. This focus on family dynamics highlighted the couple's commitment to nurturing the next generation of athletes while navigating the legacy of their Olympic fame.

Later Years and Residence

In the years following her athletic retirement, Ann Packer and her husband Robbie Brightwell relocated to , , establishing a stable family home in the where they raised their three sons. The couple chose the area for its community-oriented environment, settling into a Georgian overlooking a local . Packer became involved in local initiatives, including support for and sports facilities; in recognition of her and Brightwell's contributions, a meeting room at Congleton's revamped was named the Brightwell Suite in their honor. Packer had worked as a physical education teacher at Coombe County Girls School in New Malden, London, balancing her duties with Olympic training prior to 1964. After the Games, she retired from teaching to focus on family. She later contributed to community efforts such as her local organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics. Her involvement emphasized fostering athletic development among young people, drawing on her own experiences. Brightwell passed away on March 6, 2022, at age 82, after nearly 58 years of marriage, succumbing to a long illness at their home. Packer has spoken of the profound loss but has coped by maintaining close ties with her family and engaging in occasional public reflections on their shared life. She continues to appear at events celebrating British athletics, underscoring her resilience. As of May 2025, at age 83, Packer remained in , embracing a low-profile lifestyle focused on family and personal well-being. She participated in select media interviews discussing her enduring legacy in women's athletics and the importance of perseverance.

Honours and Legacy

Awards and Official Recognitions

Ann Packer was appointed Member of the (MBE) in the 1965 for her services to athletics, recognizing her Olympic achievements the previous year. She received the honour at a ceremony held at later that year, alongside fellow athletes Robbie Brightwell and . In 2009, Packer was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame, honouring her as a pioneering female middle-distance runner who transitioned from sprinting and to Olympic success in the . The Hall of Fame, launched in , selects inductees based on outstanding contributions to athletics, including performance and broader impact on the sport, as determined by a panel of experts. Packer also earned several national titles through the Women's Amateur Athletic Association (WAAA) Championships during the 1960s, including the in 1960 and the 440 yards in 1964. At the British Empire and in Perth, she contributed to England's in the women's 4 × 110 yards , finishing second behind . These accomplishments, building on her 1964 Olympic gold and silver medals, underscored her versatility and helped cement her formal recognitions in British athletics.

Cultural and Commemorative Tributes

In recognition of her 1964 Olympic gold medal, a historic postbox in was painted gold by in January 2022 as part of the UK's tradition honoring Olympic champions with such commemorative installations. This tribute, located on Swan Bank, symbolizes Packer's enduring connection to her hometown and her unexpected triumph in . Further honoring her legacy alongside her late husband Robbie Brightwell, a meeting room at the revamped was named the Brightwell Suite in 2023. The dedication took place during the centre's grand reopening on May 26, 2023, where Packer cut the ribbon in a attended by local dignitaries, highlighting the couple's joint contributions to British athletics. Packer's story has been featured prominently in media retrospectives, including a 2012 Guardian profile that detailed her improbable rise to Olympic gold as a quintessential underdog narrative in British sports history. BBC athletics coverage has similarly portrayed her as an inspirational figure, with profiles emphasizing her transition from a novice 800m runner to world-record holder, cementing her status in Olympic lore. Her achievements continue to inspire female athletes in middle-distance events, paving the way for greater participation and success among British women in track athletics. This influence was reflected in publications marking the 60th anniversary of the Games, where Packer's journey was cited as a foundational moment for equity in the .

References

  1. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/ann-elizabeth-packer
  2. https://www.teamgb.com/athlete/ann-packer/4lhVEf7iwjszeToqS91HS0
  3. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2012/may/04/ann-packer-tokyo-olympics
  4. https://www.idlee.co.uk/school/dgs-history.htm
  5. http://www.todor66.com/athletics/europe/1962/Women_200m.html
  6. http://www.gbrathletics.com/bm/cg.htm
  7. https://www.thepowerof10.info/athletes/profile.aspx?athleteid=41216
  8. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/packer-skips-the-shops-to-take-800m-crown
  9. https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/18963013
  10. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-8271117/Ann-Brightwell-triumphed-Tokyo-gold-1964-nearly-turned-Olympic-history.html
  11. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-1964/results/athletics/400m-women
  12. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2008/sep/28/athletics.olympics1964
  13. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-1964/results/athletics/800m-women
  14. https://www.skysports.com/olympics/news/15234/12824276/celebrating-international-womens-day-with-britains-first-olympic-gold-medallist-on-the-track-ann-packer-brightwell
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p013swgk
  16. https://www.theguardian.com/gnmeducationcentre/archive-educational-resource-july-2012
  17. https://www.teamgb.com/article/remembering-robbie-brightwell/6XiHQAQ4tE1u0xPLjsqyVj
  18. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/where-are-they-now-ann-packer-1461717.html
  19. https://congleton.nub.news/news/local-news/congletons-famous-olympian-has-a-meeting-room-named-after-her-at-the-revamped-leisure-centre-190253
  20. https://www.thetimes.com/uk/obituaries/article/robbie-brightwell-obituary-0wclzkc70
  21. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2022/03/10/robbie-brightwell-sprinter-won-olympic-silver-tokyo-cheered/
  22. https://www.chronicleseries.com/death-of-olympian-who-influenced-and-inspired/
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07FlqQ_PbNY
  24. https://www.englandathletics.org/team-england/hall-of-fame/2009-inductees/
  25. https://www.englandathletics.org/team-england/hall-of-fame/
  26. https://teamengland.org/commonwealth-games-history/perth-1962/silver-medals
  27. https://www.chronicleseries.com/first-class-recognition-for-olympian-ann-brightwell/
  28. https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/media_hub/media_releases/date-set-for-grand-reopening-after-latest-leisure-centre-revamp.aspx
  29. http://www.espn.co.uk/olympic-sports/sport/story/155340.html
  30. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24pp06qyevo
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