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Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert AC, MBE (20 April 1938 – 6 August 2017), was an Australian athlete and a four-time Olympic champion.[1] She was nicknamed Australia's "Golden Girl".[2] During her career, she set world records for 60 metres, 100 yards, 200 metres, 220 yards and 440 yards. Cuthbert also contributed to Australian relay teams completing a win in the 4 × 100 metres, 4 × 110 yards, 4 × 200 metres and 4 × 220 yards. Cuthbert had a distinctive running style, with a high knee lift and mouth wide open.[3] She was named in 1998 an Australian National Treasure and was inducted as a Legend in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1994 and the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2000.[4]

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Cuthbert was born to Leslie and Marion alongside her nonidentical[5] twin sister, Marie 'Midge'. She also had another sister, Jean and a brother, John.[6][7][8][9] Cuthbert was born 20 minutes before Marie.[10] According to Midge, the twins were not alike, but very special to each other.[5] The daughter of nursery owners, Cuthbert was born in Merrylands, New South Wales, and grew up in the Sydney suburb of Ermington, where she attended Ermington Public School.[11] Of her upbringing, Cuthbert stated "My parents always encouraged me and I had a good home life. We were always taught to respect things and other people."[12]

Marion attended church and sent her four children to Sunday school.[13] As a teenager, Cuthbert attended Parramatta Home Science School. She left school at the age of 16 to work in the family nursery.[7]

Athletic career

[edit]
Betty Cuthbert, 100 m final, 1956 Olympics

Cuthbert was a member of the Western Suburbs Athletic Club.[1] At the age of 18, with the 1956 Summer Olympics to be held in Melbourne, Cuthbert set a World Record in the 200 metres, making her one of the favourites for a gold in that event. Cuthbert first reached the finals of the 100 metres, setting an Olympic record of 11.4 seconds in her heat (also her personal best), while the Australian world record holder Shirley Strickland was eliminated.

Cuthbert won the final and was then the big favourite for the 200 metres title. She lived up to the expectations and became the Australian "Golden Girl". A third gold medal for Cuthbert came when she ran the final leg on in the 4 × 100 metres final, which the Australian team won in a new world record.

During 1958 Cuthbert set world records for 100 and 220 yards but was beaten in both events by arch-rival and double-Olympic bronze medallist Marlene Mathews at the Australian Championships. Later in the year, at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, Cuthbert could only place fourth in the 100y and second in the 220y, again behind Mathews.

She set a world record at 440 yards, which was broken in September 1959 by Maria Itkina of the Soviet Union.[14]

In the lead-up to the 1960 Summer Olympics, in Rome, Cuthbert set a world 220 yards and 200 metres record of 23.2 seconds in winning the Australian championships. At the Rome Games, she suffered from injury and was eliminated from the quarterfinals of the 100 metres. Subsequently, she retired from the sport of track and field.

Her retirement did not last long, though, for she returned at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Western Australia, helping Australia to a gold medal in the sprint relay.

Afterwards, she concentrated on the 400 metres, and she competed in that event in the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, when it was on the Olympic program for women for the first time. Though not impressive in the heats, Cuthbert won the title for her fourth Olympic gold medal, beating Ann Packer of Great Britain in an Olympic record of 52.01.[15] She is the only Olympian, male or female, to have won a gold medal in all sprint (running) events: 100, 200 and 400 metres. She subsequently verified her retirement for good after Tokyo. Also in 1964 she received the Helms Award for her sporting contributions.[16]

She was coached by June Ferguson, who was her physical education teacher in high school.[17][7]

Personal life

[edit]

Cuthbert had multiple sclerosis from 1969 and in 2002 had a severe brain haemorrhage.[18] She stated that, despite her MS, she never once asked God 'Why me?', and instead "knew that God wanted her to use it to help other people."[19] In 1985, Cuthbert became a born-again Christian at the age of 47.[20] Always believing she was a Christian, the speaker at a public rally said there were private-practising Christians present. She felt compelled to publicly declare her faith in Jesus. From then on, Cuthbert tried to share the good news of Jesus with as many people as possible.[21] She did, however, initially want to be healed of her MS, and someone encouraged her to go to church where she could be healed. She claimed she went, looking for healing, instead of the Healer. In her own words: "I found out about the healer, and then I couldn't care less about the healing. That's the best thing. I get so much joy out of it and I want to tell other people about it. I think that's why I was meant to come back to the Olympics in 1964 because now I'm well known and it helps me to tell people about Jesus."[22]

Following her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis, Cuthbert became a dedicated advocate for the disease and was an important player in the creation of MS Research Australia, attending the organisation's 2004 inauguration alongside then-PM John Howard. She was a tireless campaigner for national awareness of the disease, and, following her death in 2017, was credited by CEO of MS Research Australia, Dr. Matthew Miles, as having had an incredible impact on Australia's recognition and understanding of MS.[23]

In 1991, Cuthbert left her home state, New South Wales, for Western Australia, where she settled in Mandurah.[24] Cuthbert was one of the bearers of the Olympic Torch at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Sitting in a wheelchair and accompanied by Raelene Boyle, she carried the Olympic Torch at the stadium, as one of the runners for the final segment, before the lighting of the Olympic Flame by Cathy Freeman.[25]

Cuthbert died in 2017, aged 79,[26][27] in Mandurah.[28] She never married or had children.[29] Rhonda Gillam, a 78-year-old West Australian mother-of-three, devoted the last 26 years of her life to caring for Cuthbert.[8] Gillam stated that Cuthbert's MS also took her hearing.[30] Cuthbert's twin sister, Midge Johnston, stated that Betty had been struggling with dementia in recent years, worrying that Betty would not remember her, but Betty always said "Midge, of course I remember you."[31]

Post-death

[edit]

The day after her death, there was a minute's silence before the start of competition at the 2017 World Athletics Championships in London, and Australian athletes were granted permission by the International Association of Athletics Federations to wear black armbands in competition.[32] Cuthbert was the only Australian among the 10 inaugural inductees to the IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.[32] There were many tributes to Cuthbert's career and life from significant Australians:

  • Cathy Freeman: Betty is an inspiration and her story will continue to inspire Australian athletes for generations to come. I'm so happy I got to meet such a tremendous and gracious role model, and Olympic champion.[33]
  • Marlene Matthews: I have never met anyone that had such great faith and determination. It was this faith that kept her going for so long and through the most difficult times.[34]
  • John Coates: Betty battled her illness for many years and showed tremendous courage, but more importantly she always managed to smile. Betty was a member of a unique band of athletes who inspired thousands of Australians.[34]
  • Malcolm Turnbull: Rest in Peace Betty Cuthbert – an inspiration and a champion on and off the track.[33]
  • Bill Shorten: Rest in peace Betty Cuthbert, forever a golden girl.[34]

Cuthbert's funeral was held on 16 August 2017 in Mandurah and her body was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.[35] Several hundred were present, including Margaret Court, Raelene Boyle, and Marjorie Jackson. Dawn Fraser (whom Cuthbert handed the Olympic Torch to during the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics) gave a speech.[36] Her twin sister, Midge, lit a candle of remembrance; and niece and nephew, Louise and Peter, also gave speeches.[37] A public memorial service for Cuthbert was held on 21 August 2017, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.[38] Tributes were led by broadcaster Alan Jones and Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Also in attendance were former athletes Norma Fleming and Marlene Matthews.[39]

Personal bests

[edit]
Personal bests – outdoor
Event Time Wind City Date
60 metres 7.2 +0.6 Sydney 27 February 1960
100 yards 10.4 0.0 Sydney 1 March 1958
100 metres 11.4 Melbourne 24 November 1956
200 metres 23.2 No wind Sydney 16 September 1956
220 yards 23.2 Under 2.0 Hobart 7 March 1960
400 metres 52.01 - Tokyo 17 October 1964
440 yards 53.3 - Brisbane 23 March 1963

World records

[edit]

Cuthbert achieved 14 world records during her career comprising 10 individual and four relays. In addition she set a number of world best, including unclaimed records, and metric distance bests.

Individual – manual and electronic timing

[edit]
Event Time Wind Event City Date
60 metres 7.2 0.6+ NSW Championships Sydney, New South Wales 27 February 1960[15][40]
100 yards 10.4 0.0 NSW Championships Sydney, New South Wales 1 March 1958[15][40]
220 yards 23.6 Under 2.0 National Perth, Western Australia 18 January 1958[15][40]
220 yards 23.5 1.2+ NSW Championships Sydney, New South Wales 8 March 1958[15][40]
220 yards 23.2 Under 2.0 Australian Championships Hobart, Tasmania 7 March 1960[15][40]
200 metres 23.2 No wind Pre-Olympic Test Sydney, New South Wales 16 September 1956[15][40]
440 yards 55.6 - National Sydney, New South Wales 17 January 1959[15][40]
440 yards 54.3 - International Sydney, New South Wales 21 March 1959[15][40]
440 yards 53.5 - Moomba Carnival Melbourne, Victoria 11 March 1963[15][40]
440 yards 53.3 - Australian Championships Brisbane, Queensland 23 March 1963[15][40]

Team – manual and electronic timing

[edit]
Event Time Wind Event City Date Other team members
4 × 100 metres 44.9 - Olympic Games Melbourne, Victoria 1 December 1956 Shirley Strickland, Norma Croker, Fleur Mellor[15][40]
4 × 100 metres 44.5 - Olympic Games Melbourne, Victoria 1 December 1956 Shirley Strickland, Norma Croker, Fleur Mellor[15][40]
4 × 110 yards 45.6 - Australian Championships Sydney, New South Wales 5 December 1956 Shirley Strickland, Norma Croker, Fleur Mellor[15][40]
4 × 220 yards 1:36.3 - Australia v USA v Commonwealth Sydney, New South Wales 5 December 1956 Marlene Matthews, Norma Croker, Fleur Mellor[15][40]

Honours

[edit]
Statue of Betty Cuthbert outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground

Notable athletics achievements

[edit]
  • At the time of her death, she was the youngest ever 200 m gold medallist in Olympic history.
  • She won a gold medal at the inaugural Australian All Schools in 1951.
  • Cuthbert was the first Australian Olympian to win three gold medals at a Games (Murray Rose achieved this later in the 1956 Games).
  • Cuthbert is the only athlete to win the 100, 200 and 400 m at the Olympic Games.

Books

[edit]

There are two books on Cuthbert's life: Golden girl as told to Jim Webster (1966) and Golden girl : an autobiography by Betty Cuthbert (2000).

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Betty Cuthbert

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Betty Cuthbert (20 April 1938 – 6 August 2017) was an Australian sprinter renowned as the "Golden Girl" for her extraordinary Olympic success, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals in the , , and events across two Games, and securing four golds in total. Born in Ermington, , she set multiple s during her career, including 16 in sprint events, and anchored Australia's victorious 4x100 metres relay team to a at the 1956 Olympics. Cuthbert began her athletic journey at age eight, joining the Western Suburbs Athletic Club in and training under coach June Ferguson, who helped develop her into a prodigious talent. By her late teens, she had broken the world record with a time of 23.2 seconds in 1956, just weeks before the Olympics. She also competed successfully at the , earning silver medals in the 220 yards and 4 × 110 yards relay at the 1958 edition and a gold in the 4x110 yards relay at the 1962 Perth Games. At the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, held in her home country, the 18-year-old Cuthbert stunned the world by winning gold in the 100 metres (11.5 seconds), 200 metres (23.4 seconds), and anchoring the 4x100 metres relay to victory in a world-record 44.5 seconds, marking the first time an Australian had claimed three golds at a single Games. She also competed at the 1960 Rome Olympics before retiring briefly and returning for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, where she triumphed in the inaugural 400 metres event with an Olympic record of 52.01 seconds, becoming only the second woman in history to win four Olympic track golds. Following her retirement in 1964, Cuthbert was diagnosed with in the 1970s, which confined her to a , yet she remained an advocate for research into the disease and served as the final torchbearer at the 2000 Olympics. Her legacy endures through numerous honors, including the Helms Award and ABC Sports Star of the Year in 1956, Member of the (MBE) in 1965, Companion of the (AC) in 2018 (posthumously), and induction as a Legend in the Sport Hall of Fame in 1994.

Early Life

Family Background

Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert was born on 20 April 1938 in , , the third child in her family. She arrived 20 minutes before her non-identical twin sister, Marie, affectionately known as "Midge," with older siblings Jean, who was six years her senior, and John, four years older. Her parents, Leslie and Marion Cuthbert, provided a stable working-class upbringing, emphasizing family support and practical values in their suburban home. When the twins were five years old, the family relocated to Ermington, another suburb, where Leslie Cuthbert established a flower and vegetable that became the family's livelihood. This move shaped their daily life, with the children contributing to the hands-on operations of the business amid modest circumstances. The nursery not only sustained the household but also fostered a sense of resilience and community involvement in the working-class environment of Ermington. Cuthbert's early childhood experiences were rooted in local public education, beginning in Merrylands before the relocation and continuing at Ermington Public School after the move. She progressed to secondary schooling in the area, attending classes until the age of 16, when she left to assist full-time in the family nursery. These formative years in Merrylands and Ermington instilled a grounded perspective, supported by her parents' encouragement and the close-knit dynamics.

Introduction to Athletics

Betty Cuthbert first developed an interest in running at age eight while living in Ermington, participating in informal school sports and local events that highlighted her natural speed. Her entry into organized athletics occurred around age 13 in 1951, when her physical education teacher at Home Science School, June Ferguson, began mentoring her in sprinting fundamentals. Cuthbert joined the Western Suburbs Athletic Club in , , at the urging of Ferguson, who was also a coach at the club. This marked the beginning of her structured involvement in , transitioning from informal running during school activities to competitive training within a club environment. Under Ferguson's coaching, which focused on developing her sprinting technique, speed, endurance, and form for short-distance events, Cuthbert balanced training with part-time work in her family's plant nursery. Cuthbert's initial competitions took place at local and state levels in , starting with junior events in 1953. She participated in school and club meets, where she honed her abilities in the 100 yards and 220 yards sprints—distances equivalent to modern 100m and 200m events—often running on cinder tracks during inter-club competitions. By 1954 and 1955, her performances in these junior state championships demonstrated steady progress, establishing her as a promising talent in athletics circles.

Athletic Career

Early Competitions

Cuthbert's competitive journey gained momentum in the early 1950s as she transitioned from school-level races to structured club athletics. Joining the Western Suburbs Athletic Club in , she quickly established herself as a promising sprinter under the of her coach, June Ferguson, who had recognized her talent during high school classes. By 1953, at age 15, Cuthbert set a national junior record in the 100 yards event with a time of 11.3 seconds, marking her first significant achievement on the national stage. Her rise continued through domestic meets and junior competitions in 1954 and 1955, where she secured several national junior titles, including victories in sprint events that highlighted her speed and potential. These performances, often in inter-club and state-level races, focused primarily on short sprints such as the 100 yards and 220 yards, building her foundation in explosive starts and acceleration. In 1955, she further impressed by setting an Australian junior record in the 220 yards, solidifying her reputation within Australian athletics circles. Cuthbert's breakthrough came in 1956 during the national Olympic trials in , where her dominant showings earned her selection for the Australian team. Running in the 100 meters heats, she clocked a world-record time of 11.4 seconds, demonstrating her readiness for international competition. Alongside her individual sprint preparations, she began intensive relay training with teammates, honing baton exchanges for the 4x100 meters event as part of the national squad's buildup to the home Olympics. These domestic successes underscored her rapid progression from local talent to national prospect.

1956 Melbourne Olympics

At the in , , 18-year-old Betty Cuthbert emerged as a breakout star, captivating the home crowd with her sprinting prowess amid the electric atmosphere of the nation's first hosted Games. Having qualified through strong performances at the national trials, where she had recently set a in the 200 meters, Cuthbert entered as a relative unknown but quickly became a sensation dubbed the "Golden Girl" for her flaxen hair and golden performances. In the women's 100 meters final on November 29, Cuthbert powered to gold in 11.5 seconds, edging out Christa Stubnick of by 0.2 seconds and securing Australia's first track gold on home soil. Four days later, on December 3, she claimed her second individual gold in the 200 meters, finishing in a world-record time of 23.4 seconds to defeat Stubnick again, becoming the youngest Olympic champion in that event at 18 years and 224 days old—a mark that still stands. Cuthbert capped her Melbourne triumph on December 7 by anchoring Australia's 4×100 meters relay team to gold, with teammates Norma Croker, Fleur Mellor, and Shirley Strickland de la Hunty, in a world-record time of 44.5 seconds that shattered the previous mark by 0.3 seconds.[]https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/melbourne-1956/results/athletics/4x100m-relay-women)[]https://sahof.org.au/award-winner/1956-womens-4x100m-relay-team-athletics/) Her three golds made her the standout athlete of the Games, earning widespread acclaim as a national heroine and symbol of Australian sporting excellence.

1960 Rome Olympics

Entering the in as a favorite following her triple triumph at the 1956 Games, Betty Cuthbert was entered in the women's 100m and 200m events, aiming to defend her sprint titles. Despite setting a of 23.2 seconds in the 220 yards earlier that year, Cuthbert arrived with underlying concerns about her fitness. In the 100m, Cuthbert advanced through the heats but struggled in the quarterfinals, where a injury struck during the race, causing her to finish outside the qualifying positions and effectively ending her chances in that event. The injury, which had been nagging prior to the Games, severely hampered her speed and form, preventing her from progressing further. Compounding the setback, Cuthbert withdrew from the 200m event before her heat, unable to compete due to the hamstring tear, and also sat out the 4x100m relay. This marked the first Olympics without a medal for the Australian sprinter, in a highly competitive field dominated by American Wilma Rudolph, who claimed gold in both the 100m (11.0 seconds) and 200m (24.0 seconds), showcasing superior form against international rivals. Following the Games, the 22-year-old announced her retirement from competitive athletics, citing the debilitating injury and emotional exhaustion from years of intense training and pressure as key factors in her decision to step away. Disappointed by her uncharacteristic underperformance, she returned to civilian life, working in her family's nursery business while reflecting on a career that had already cemented her as one of Australia's premier athletes.

1964 Tokyo Olympics and Retirement

Following her initial retirement after the Olympics, where she was hampered by a injury, Betty Cuthbert reversed her decision and returned to competition at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth. There, she anchored Australia's women's 4 × 110 yards relay team to a victory, marking a successful resurgence after 18 months away from the track. This achievement reignited her passion, leading her to commit to further training under coach Percy Cerrutty, with a focus on the 400 meters—a brand-new distance for women at the Olympic level. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Cuthbert qualified comfortably for the 400 meters final despite persistent foot issues, drawing lane 2 in the decisive race. She surged ahead in the final stretch to claim gold, clocking an Olympic record time of 52.00 seconds ahead of Great Britain's Ann Packer. This triumph, her fourth Olympic gold overall, capped a remarkable comeback at age 26 and two years into her return to elite athletics. Post-Games, Cuthbert announced her permanent retirement from competition, solidifying her unique status as the only athlete to win Olympic gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. Her victory in not only closed her storied career on a high note but also highlighted her adaptability in transitioning to longer sprint distances amid injury challenges.

Competitive Achievements

Olympic Medals

Betty Cuthbert amassed four Olympic gold medals in events across two Games, with no silver or bronze medals to her name. These victories spanned the 100 meters, 200 meters, 4×100 meters relay, and 400 meters, establishing her as a dominant force in women's sprinting.
YearEventMedalGames Location
1956100 metersGoldMelbourne, Australia
1956200 metersGoldMelbourne, Australia
19564×100 meters relayGoldMelbourne, Australia
1964400 metersGoldTokyo, Japan
Her 1956 performance in marked a historic milestone as the first Australian to secure three medals in a single Olympics, contributing significantly to Australia's home Games success. This triple triumph in sprint events highlighted her versatility and speed, anchoring the relay team to victory while dominating the individual sprints. Cuthbert's four sprint golds positioned her alongside contemporaries like , the Dutch athlete who won four golds in , as one of only two women to achieve that total by the mid-20th century. At the time of her death in 2017, Cuthbert held the unique Olympic record as the only woman to win gold in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters individually, a feat unmatched in women's sprinting history up to that point.

World Records

Betty Cuthbert established a total of 16 world records or equalled existing ones between 1956 and 1964, spanning individual sprints from 60 meters to 400 meters as well as relay events, showcasing her versatility and speed across distances. These achievements, primarily hand-timed due to the era's reliance on manual stopwatches for most sprint events before widespread electronic timing in the , solidified her status as Australia's "Golden Girl" and contributed to the nation's dominance in women's track events during the mid-20th century. Among her individual records, Cuthbert set a world mark in the 200 meters with a time of 23.2 seconds on September 16, 1956, at a meet in , , just weeks before the Olympics; this hand-timed performance highlighted her explosive acceleration and helped propel her to Olympic success. In 1958, she equalled the world record for 100 yards at 10.4 seconds during the championships, a feat that underscored her prowess in shorter dashes despite strong competition from rivals like Marlene Mathews. Her indoor sprinting ability shone in 1960 when she set a 60 meters of 7.2 seconds on a rain-soaked track in , trimming time off the previous mark held by a Polish . Later, following her retirement and comeback, Cuthbert targeted longer distances, breaking the 440 yards twice in 1963 with times of 53.5 seconds and then 53.3 seconds, both hand-timed, which prepared her for the metric 400 meters at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics where she set a of 52.0 seconds (hand-timed). In relay events, Cuthbert was instrumental in four world records, including the Australian 4x100 meters team's mark of 44.5 seconds set during the final at the 1956 Olympics, a hand-timed performance that capped her golden sprint double and boosted Australia's international prestige. Additional records came in the 4x220 yards events in the late 1950s, further emphasizing her role in team successes that extended her individual legacy. These records, often achieved in domestic meets or Olympic contexts, not only elevated Australian women's athletics but also inspired a generation, with 's consistent barrier-breaking runs earning her enduring acclaim as a pioneer in the .
EventDistance/TimeDateVenueNotes
200m23.2s (hand-timed)Sep 16, 1956Sydney, Pre-Olympic meet
100 yards10.4s (hand-timed)Mar 1, 1958Sydney, Equalled existing record
60m7.2s (hand-timed)Feb 27, 1960Sydney, Indoor, on wet track
440 yards53.3s (hand-timed)1963Second breakage that year
400m52.0s (hand-timed)Oct 17, 1964Tokyo, JapanOlympic final
4x100m relay44.5s (hand-timed)Dec 1, 1956Melbourne, Olympic final

Personal Bests

Betty Cuthbert's personal best performances were achieved primarily during her peak competitive years from 1956 to 1964, spanning her transition from short sprints to longer distances like the 400 following a period of and comeback. These times, often hand-timed in an before fully electronic timing, reflect her versatility and dominance in both metric and imperial measurements prevalent in mid-20th-century athletics. While some of her bests also set world records, others represent her career highs in non-record-setting contexts, showcasing consistent excellence across events. Her early career focused on 100m and 200m sprints, where she established benchmarks in 1956 ahead of the Olympics, before expanding to indoor 60m and yard-based events in the late 1950s and early 1960s. By 1963-1964, Cuthbert adapted to the emerging 400m discipline, posting her fastest time at the Tokyo Olympics, marking her evolution from a pure sprinter to an all-around speed-endurance athlete.
EventTimeDateLocation
60m7.2s27 Feb 1960,
100m11.4s24 Nov 1956,
100y10.4s1 Mar 1958,
200m23.2s16 Sep 1956,
220y23.2s5 Mar 1960,
400m52.0s17 Oct 1964, Japan
440y53.3s30 Mar 1963,
(Note: All times are hand-timed unless otherwise specified; "y" denotes yards.)

Later Life and Legacy

Health Issues

During the 1960 Olympics, Cuthbert suffered a severe injury in the heats of the 100 meters, which forced her to withdraw from the competition and ultimately led to her initial retirement from athletics. This injury, compounded by ongoing pain, prevented her from defending her sprint titles and marked a significant setback in her career, though it later influenced her determination to stage a comeback for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Cuthbert first experienced symptoms of (MS), a chronic affecting the , in 1969 and was formally diagnosed in 1974. Progressive symptoms, including and coordination difficulties, intensified through the 1970s, severely impacting her mobility and daily activities. The disease progressively worsened, eventually confining her to a for mobility. In 2002, Cuthbert experienced a brain haemorrhage that required immediate hospitalization in Perth, where she was reported to be in serious condition with bleeding in the brain. She underwent treatment and made a gradual recovery, defying initial medical predictions of severe long-term , though the event added to her health challenges.

Advocacy and Public Engagements

Following her diagnosis with in 1974, Betty Cuthbert became a prominent advocate for Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia, dedicating much of her post-retirement life to raising awareness and funds for research into the condition. She played a key role in efforts, leveraging her status as a national sporting icon to support the organization's initiatives, including the launch of MS Research Australia in 2004, where she appeared alongside . In a symbolic highlight of her enduring connection to the Olympic movement, Cuthbert carried the Olympic Torch into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics, wheeled in by fellow Australian athlete before passing it to the next bearer. This appearance underscored her role as an inspirational figure in Australian sport, despite her reliance on a due to MS. Cuthbert frequently engaged in motivational speaking and public appearances to promote women's participation in athletics, drawing on her own experiences as a trailblazing sprinter to encourage young athletes and highlight opportunities for women in sport. Her talks emphasized resilience and the importance of athletic achievement, often at events tied to her advocacy work. In 1991, Cuthbert relocated from to , , where she immersed herself in local community activities, particularly supporting MS initiatives and engaging with residents through her public persona. Her presence in fostered community ties, including contributions to local awareness efforts for , earning praise from regional leaders for her quiet but impactful involvement.

Honors and Recognition

Betty Cuthbert received numerous honors throughout her life in recognition of her athletic achievements and contributions to sport. In 1965, she was appointed a Member of the (MBE) for her services to athletics in . In 1984, she was made a Member of the (AM) for her service to sport as an athlete and administrator. Cuthbert was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 as an Athlete Member for her contributions to athletics, and elevated to Legend status in 1994. She became an inaugural inductee of the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2000. In 2012, she was named one of the inaugural members of the IAAF (now ) Hall of Fame, the only Australian among the initial class of 24 athletes. In 1998, Cuthbert was named a National Living Treasure by the National Trust of Australia. A commemorating her was unveiled outside Gate 3 of the in August 2003, honoring her as the "Golden Girl" of the 1956 Olympics. Following her death on 6 August 2017, a minute's silence was observed before the start of competition at the in on 7 August, as a tribute to her legacy. In 2018, she was posthumously awarded the Companion of the (AC) for eminent service to athletics at the national and international levels.

Personal Aspects

Family and Relationships

Betty Cuthbert shared a particularly close bond with her twin sister, Marie, known as "," throughout her life, marked by mutual support and shared experiences from childhood onward. The sisters attended together and relied on each other during family challenges, with Midge often taking a protective role despite Betty's athletic prominence. This connection provided enduring emotional backing, even as Betty pursued her independent path. Cuthbert never married and had no children, choosing instead to prioritize her athletic career and personal independence. Described as fiercely self-reliant, she bought her own home and managed her life , reflecting a lifelong pattern of autonomy that extended beyond her sporting achievements. After leaving school at age 16, Cuthbert joined her father's business in Western , run by her parents Les and Marion, where she contributed to tasks such as raising and selling budgerigars. This involvement provided financial stability during her early adulthood and post-retirement periods, including an 18-month stint after the 1960 Olympics. Cuthbert maintained strong ties with her extended family in New South Wales, including siblings brother John and sister Jean, as well as living briefly with another sister, Jean. In 1991, she relocated from New South Wales to Western Australia, settling in Mandurah, where she continued to nurture family connections despite the geographical distance, which her twin sister Midge later noted. Her role as a beloved aunt underscored these lifelong familial relationships.

Faith and Publications

In 1985, at the age of 47, Betty Cuthbert experienced a profound during a public rally in , where she became a born-again Christian after responding to a message delivered by Rev. Gordon Moyes of Sydney's Wesley Mission. This event marked a transformative shift in her spiritual life, as she later described it: "Well, I wasn't healed but I met the Healer," reflecting on her ongoing struggle with (MS) while embracing faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Cuthbert noted that her life "has never been the same since," with salvation providing a sense of unearned grace that surpassed even her Olympic triumphs. Cuthbert's literary contributions began earlier in her career with the 1966 book Golden Girl, co-authored with journalist Jim Webster, which chronicled her early athletic successes and rise to fame. Decades later, she published her full autobiography, Golden Girl: An Autobiography, in 2000 through Strand Publishing, offering a comprehensive account of her life that integrated her sporting achievements, battle with MS diagnosed in 1969, and deepening faith journey. In this work, Cuthbert explored how her Christian beliefs shaped her resilience, emphasizing themes of gratitude and purpose amid adversity. Cuthbert's faith profoundly influenced her response to health challenges, as she never questioned "Why me?" regarding her MS but instead viewed it as an opportunity to inspire others through her testimony. This spiritual outlook fortified her public persona, transforming her from a celebrated into a symbol of enduring hope and quiet strength, often crediting divine guidance for her efforts rooted in .

References

  1. https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/betty-cuthbert/
  2. https://worldathletics.org/heritage/news/sixty-years-betty-cuthbert-olympic-triple
  3. https://www.vic.gov.au/betty-cuthbert-ac-mbe
  4. https://www.athletics.com.au/hall-of-fame/betty-cuthbert/
  5. https://www.smh.com.au/national/betty-cuthbert-golden-girl-who-ran-into-the-history-books-20170807-gxqsw9.html
  6. https://speakola.com/eulogy/for-betty-cuthbert-by-alan-jones-2017
  7. https://www.smh.com.au/national/betty-cuthbert-barefoot-sprinter-who-became-a-record-breaking-golden-girl-20240731-p5jxyu.html
  8. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/athletics/happy-and-contented-betty-cuthberts-humility-outpaced-her-greatness-20170807-gxqnpk.html
  9. https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/cuthbert-elizabeth-alyse-betty-33264
  10. https://kids.kiddle.co/Betty_Cuthbert
  11. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2017/08/09/betty-cuthbert-australian-olympic-sprinter-obituary/
  12. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Betty-Cuthbert
  13. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/betty-cuthbert-obituary-by-harry-gordon/news-story/0497d02495b47e2c51e1dc3e1cc3a6f7
  14. https://worldathletics.org/news/news/june-ferguson-passes-away
  15. https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/june-ferguson/
  16. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/277558808
  17. https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/today-in-history/betty-cuthbert-overcame-injuries-to-come-back-and-win-a-fourth-gold-medal/news-story/c46c51cac84eeac357cc48ae7b8274a9
  18. https://www.oocities.org/geetee/bios/cuthbert.html
  19. https://www.2gb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2017/08/BETTY-CUTHBERT-EULOGY.pdf
  20. http://athletics.possumbility.com/aust_trials/tf_1956.htm
  21. https://www.olympics.com/en/athletes/betty-cuthbert
  22. https://www.olympics.com.au/news/melbourne-1956-olympics-history-made-on-day-9/
  23. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/melbourne-1956/results/athletics/100m-women
  24. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/melbourne-1956/results/athletics/200m-women
  25. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/betty-cuthbert-track-and-field
  26. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/rome-1960/results/athletics/200m-women
  27. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/tokyo-1964/results/athletics/400m-women
  28. https://www.olympics.com/en/brisbane-2032/news/sydney-olympians-paralympians/
  29. https://www.athletics.com.au/news/vale-betty-cuthbert/
  30. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/how-many-times-australia-olympics-host
  31. https://www.olympics.com/en/news/australia-olympic-medal-winners
  32. https://www.espn.com/extra/olympics/story?id=20268941
  33. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/sports/betty-cuthbert-4-time-olympic-gold-medalist-dies-79-n790086
  34. https://worldathletics.org/athletes/australia/betty-cuthbert-14430508
  35. https://www.nytimes.com/1958/03/02/archives/miss-cuthbert-equals-world-mark-for-dash.html
  36. https://www.alamy.com/mar-03-1960-australian-olympic-gold-medalist-betty-cuthbert-sets-up-image69363113.html
  37. https://www.reuters.com/article/sports/on-this-day-born-april-20-1938-betty-cuthbert-australias-golden-girl-idUSKBN2210A6/
  38. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/issue/straitstimes19600228-1
  39. https://www.nytimes.com/1960/03/08/archives/world-220-record-lowered-to-0232-betty-cuthbert-triumphs-in.html
  40. http://athletics.possumbility.com/athletes/athlete21.htm
  41. https://www.smh.com.au/national/betty-cuthbert-seriously-ill-20020927-gdfo9i.html
  42. https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/surprise-visitor-lifts-spirits-of-a-legend-ng-ya-390681
  43. https://www.msaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/msa-annual-review-2018.pdf
  44. https://www.9news.com.au/health/betty-cuthbert-the-greatest-ms-advocate/382d8351-f911-474b-ba0e-1e43f3d3ea7a
  45. https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/sydney-2000/torch-relay
  46. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-21/betty-cuthbert-remembered-for-shaping-australian-identity/8827136
  47. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/golden-girl-betty-cuthberts-greatness-inspired-nation/news-story/e89d8c16e4a723af13621a2092f348ba
  48. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/4839653/remembering-a-golden-girl-tributes-flow-for-betty-cuthbert/
  49. https://worldathletics.org/news/news/iaaf-hall-of-fame-created-first-12-members
  50. https://www.mcg.org.au/plan-a-visit/sporting-statues/betty-cuthbert
  51. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-08/betty-cuthbert-honoured-at-world-athletics-championships/8783772
  52. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/weekend-australian-magazine/betty-cuthbert-multiple-sclerosis-and-the-gift-of-rhonda-gillam/news-story/fe31bb3c5ff73a45e762b68fb93d9e8d
  53. https://www.smh.com.au/sport/athletics/olympic-champion-betty-cuthbert-dead-at-79-20170807-gxqkbn.html
  54. https://christiantoday.com.au/news/person-of-faith-betty-cuthbert.html
  55. https://creation.com/en/articles/still-running-for-god
  56. https://eternitynews.com.au/australia/betty-cuthberts-call-from-god-that-made-her-a-legend/
  57. https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/785109
  58. https://books.google.com/books/about/Golden_Girl.html?id=ZMC5AAAACAAJ
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