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{{short description|Australian sprinter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{MedalTableTop}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name =
| image = Betty Cuthbert, Marlene Mathews, Heather Armitage, 1956 Olympics.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Mathews (center) at the 1956 Olympics
| birth_name =
| fullname =
| nationality =
| residence =
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|14 July 1934}}
| birth_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]
| death_date =
| death_place =
| height = 170 cm
| weight = 64 kg
| country =
| sport = Athletics
| event = Sprint
| pb = 100 m – 11.4 (1956)<br>200 m – 23.3 (1958)<br>400 m – 56.7 (1957)<ref name=sr/><ref name=tf/>
| club = Western Suburbs AAC, Sydney
| retired =
| olympics =
| highestranking =
| show-medals = yes
| medaltemplates =
{{MedalCountry | {{AUS}} }}
{{MedalCountry | {{AUS}} }}
{{MedalSport|Women's [[Athletics (sport)|Athletics]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1956 Summer Olympics|Melbourne 1956]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|100 metres]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|100 metres]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1956 Summer Olympics|Melbourne 1956]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|200 metres]]}}
{{MedalBronze| [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|200 metres]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Commonwealth Games]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|Cardiff 1958]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|100 yards]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Cardiff]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|100 yards]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|Cardiff 1958]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|220 yards]]}}
{{MedalGold| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Cardiff]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|220 yards]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|Cardiff 1958]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|4x110y relay]]}}
{{MedalSilver| [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Cardiff]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|4×110y relay]]}}
⚫
}}
{{MedalBottom}}
'''Marlene Judith Mathews''' [[Officer of the Order of Australia|AO]] (born 14 July 1934 in [[Sydney, New South Wales]]) is a former [[Australia]]n [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] [[Sprint (race)|sprinter]]. She has been described as 'one of Australia's greatest and unluckiest' champions.<ref name=wabio>[http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2268b.htm Australian Biographical Database profile - Marlene Mathews]</ref>
'''Marlene Judith Mathews''' [[Officer of the Order of Australia|AO]] (later ''Willard''; born 14 July 1934) is a retired Australian [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] [[Sprint (running)|sprinter]]. She has been described as 'one of Australia's greatest and unluckiest' champions.<ref name=wabio>[http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2268b.htm Australian Biographical Database profile – Marlene Mathews]. Womenaustralia.info. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.</ref>


==Early career==
==Early career==
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Mathews attended [[Fort Street High School]] in [[Sydney]] and began competing in [[athletics (sport)|athletics]] in the late 1940s.
Mathews attended [[Fort Street High School]] in [[Sydney]] and began competing in [[athletics (sport)|athletics]] in the late 1940s.


At the 1950 [[Australian Championships in Athletics|Australian Championships]], Marlene placed fourth, behind [[Shirley Strickland]], in the [[100 metres hurdles|80m Hurdles]] and ran in the winning state relay team,<ref name=aa>[http://www.athletics.com.au/history/athletes/athlete160.htm Athletics Australia profile]</ref> but was not selected for the [[1950 British Empire Games]] team.
At the 1950 [[Australian Championships in Athletics|Australian Championships]], she placed fourth, behind [[Shirley Strickland]], in the 80 m hurdles and ran in the winning state relay team,<ref name=aa>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091019195013/http://www.athletics.com.au/history/athletes/athlete160.htm Marlene WILLARD (Mathews) (NSW)]. Athletics Australia profile</ref> but was not selected for the [[1950 British Empire Games]] team.


A few days after her 16th birthday at the NSW Championships, she ran a great race at the [[New South Wales]] Championships 100 yards final, placing second to world record-holder [[Marjorie Jackson]] and beating four members of the Australian Empire Games team, including Olympic medalist Strickland.<ref name=agold>{{Wayback |date=20091027100142 |url=http://geocities.com/geetee/bios/marlene.html |title=Athletics Gold profile }}</ref>
A few days after her 16th birthday at the NSW Championships, she ran a great race at the [[New South Wales]] Championships 100 yards final, placing second to world record-holder [[Marjorie Jackson]] and beating four members of the Australian Empire Games team, including Olympic medalist Strickland.<ref name=agold>{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/geetee/bios/marlene.html |title=Athletics Gold profile |access-date=2010-10-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027100142/http://geocities.com/geetee/bios/marlene.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 }}</ref>


Mathews was considered a certainty to gain selection to the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] before a leg injury forced her out of competition<ref>[http://www.sahof.org.au/hallOfFame/memberProfile/index.php?memberID=139&memberType=athlete Sport Australia Hall of Fame profile - Marlene Mathews]</ref>
Mathews was considered a certainty to gain selection to the [[1952 Summer Olympics]] before a leg injury forced her out of competition.<ref>[https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/marlene-mathews/ Marlene Mathews]. Sport Australia Hall of Fame</ref>


==International career==
==International career==
[[File:Marlene Matthews & Betty Cuthbert.jpg|thumb|left|Matthews (left) in 1960 with [[Betty Cuthbert]]]]
⚫
In 1954, recovered from her injuries, she ran second to Jackson in the National 100 yards championship (and third in the 220 yards)<ref name=aa/> and was duly selected to run in her first international championships at the [[1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] in Vancouver. She was unlucky again, breaking down injured in her heat of the 100 yards.<ref name=sr/><ref name=aa/>


⚫
At the [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]] in [[Melbourne]], she won two bronze medals, over [[100 metres]] and [[200 metres]]. In both races she was beaten by countrywoman [[Betty Cuthbert]] (gold) and German [[Christa Stubnick]] (silver).<ref name=sr/><ref name=aa/>
⚫
In 1954, recovered from her injuries, she ran second to Jackson in the National 100 yards championship (and third in the 220 yards)<ref name=aa/> and was duly selected to run in her first international championships at the [[1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] in Vancouver. She was unlucky again, breaking down injured in her heat of the 100 yards.<ref name=aa/>


⚫
In a controversial move, she was left out of the gold-medal winning Australian 4×100 metres relay team as she was 'not considered a good relay runner" but soon after the Games she assisted an Australian team to world records for 4×200 metres and 4×220 yards relay events.<ref>[http://corporate.olympics.com.au/act/news.cfm?ArticleID=6648 Australian Olympic Committee – Marlene Mathews vignette] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911154834/http://corporate.olympics.com.au/act/news.cfm?ArticleID=6648 |date=11 September 2007 }}. Corporate.olympics.com.au. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.</ref>
⚫
At the [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Olympics]] in [[Melbourne, Australia]], she won two bronze medals,<ref name=aa/> over [[100 metres]] and [[200 metres]]. In both races she was beaten by countrywoman [[Betty Cuthbert]] (gold) and German [[Christa Stubnick]] (silver).

⚫
In a controversial move, she was left out of the gold-medal winning Australian [[4 x 100 metres relay]] team as she was 'not considered a good relay runner" but soon after the Games she assisted an Australian team to world records for 4 x 200 metres and 4 x 220 yards relay events.<ref>[http://corporate.olympics.com.au/act/news.cfm?ArticleID=6648 Australian Olympic Committee - Marlene Mathews vignette]</ref>


She proved her versatility in the sprint events by setting a new world record at [[400 metres]] with 57.0 seconds on 6 January 1957.
She proved her versatility in the sprint events by setting a new world record at [[400 metres]] with 57.0 seconds on 6 January 1957.
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On 20 March 1958, at the Australian Championships, she set a new world record over 100 yards with 10.3 seconds, and two days later she ran 220 yards in 23.4 seconds and set another world record.<ref name=aa/> In both races, she defeated world-record holder and Olympic champion Cuthbert.
On 20 March 1958, at the Australian Championships, she set a new world record over 100 yards with 10.3 seconds, and two days later she ran 220 yards in 23.4 seconds and set another world record.<ref name=aa/> In both races, she defeated world-record holder and Olympic champion Cuthbert.


At the [[1958 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Cardiff]], Mathews took out the 100 yards and 220 yards, again beating Cuthbert. She was ranked #1 in the world for both 100 metres<ref name=100rank>[http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/100rankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News World Rankings-100m]</ref> and 200 metres<ref name=200rank>[http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/200rankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News World Rankings-200m]</ref> in both 1957 and 1958.
At the [[1958 Commonwealth Games]] in [[Cardiff]], [[Wales]], Mathews took out the 100 yards and 220 yards, again beating Cuthbert.<ref name=sr/> She was ranked #1 in the world for both 100 metres<ref name=100rank>[http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/100rankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News World Rankings-100m] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209190658/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/100rankingbynation.pdf |date=9 February 2012 }}. Trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.</ref> and 200 metres<ref name=200rank>[http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/200rankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News World Rankings-200m] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209190708/http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/200rankingbynation.pdf |date=9 February 2012 }}. Trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.</ref> in both 1957 and 1958.


Mathews' final competition was at the [[1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]] in [[Rome]], where she was eliminated in the 100 metres semi-finals.<ref name=aa/>
Mathews' final competition was at the [[1960 Summer Olympics|1960 Olympics]] in [[Rome]], where she was eliminated in the 100 metres semi-finals.<ref name=sr/><ref name=aa/>


==Personal details and honours==
==Personal details and honours==


Mathews married fireman Barry Willard in 1958 but they later separated. She was an assistant manager of the Australian Olympic Team at the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Olympics]] in [[Munich]].<ref name=wabio/> She became a Member of the [[Order of Australia]] (AM) in 1979 for her services to athletics, and an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) in 1999. Mathews was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 <ref name=wabio/> and into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|title=Athletics Australia Hall of Fame|url=http://athletics.com.au/About-Us/Hall-of-Fame|website=Athletics Australia|publisher=Athletics Australia}}</ref> In 1993, the [[State Transit Authority]] named a [[Sydney RiverCats|RiverCat ferry]] after Matthews. In 2018 a bronze sculpture of her (and one of [[Betty Cuthbert]]) was unveiled at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] in Sydney, Australia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epa.eu/arts-culture-and-entertainment-photos/sports-organisations-sculpture-photos/bronze-sculptures-of-australia-s-olympic-athletes-betty-cuthbert-and-marlene-mathews-photos-53984331 |title=Bronze sculptures of Australia's olympic athletes Betty Cuthbert and Marlene Mathews Photos and Images &#124; european pressphoto agency |publisher=Epa.eu |access-date=2018-01-03}}</ref> This makes them the first female athletes added to the bronze sculptures in the [[Sydney Cricket Ground]] precinct.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/latest-news/betty-cuthbert-and-marlene-mathews-our-first-ladies-in-bronze/ |title=Cuthbert and Mathews our first ladies in bronze - Precinct |publisher=Scgt.nsw.gov.au |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-date=3 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103133554/https://www.scgt.nsw.gov.au/whats-on/latest-news/betty-cuthbert-and-marlene-mathews-our-first-ladies-in-bronze/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Mathews married garbage man Barry Willard in 1958 but they later separated.

She was an Assistant Manager of the Australian Olympic Team at the [[1972 Summer Olympics|1972 Olympics]] in [[Munich]].<ref name=wabio/>

She became a Member of the [[Order of Australia]] (AM) in 1979 for her services to athletics, and an [[Officer of the Order of Australia]] (AO) in 1999.

Mathews was inducted into the [[Sport Australia]] Hall of Fame in 1985.<ref name=wabio/>

A [[Sydney Ferry]], launched in 1993 has been named after Mathews<ref>[http://ferriesofsydney.com/marlenemathews.html Ferries of Sydney - Marlene Mathews]</ref>


==Statistics==
==Statistics==


'''Personal Bests'''<ref name=agold/>
'''Personal bests'''<ref name=agold/>
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 62: Line 78:
! Date
! Date
|-
|-
| 100 y || 10.3 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 20 March 1958
| 100 y || 10.3 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 20 March 1958
|-
|-
| 100 m || 11.5 || - || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 10 March 1956
| 100 m || 11.5 || – || [[Sydney]], Australia || 10 March 1956
|-
|-
| 200 m || 23.4 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 22 March 1958
| 200 m || 23.4 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 22 March 1958
|-
|-
| 220 y || 23.4 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 22 March 1958
| 220 y || 23.4 || 0.0 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 22 March 1958
|-
|-
| 400 m || 57.0 || - || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 6 January 1957
| 400 m || 57.0 || – || [[Sydney]], Australia || 6 January 1957
|-
|-
| [[440 y]] || 57.0 || - || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 6 January 1957
| [[440 y]] || 57.0 || – || [[Sydney]], Australia || 6 January 1957
|}
|}


Line 84: Line 100:
! Date
! Date
|-
|-
| 100 y || 10.3 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 20 March 1958
| 100 y || 10.3 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 20 March 1958
|-
|-
| 200 m || 23.4 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 22 March 1958
| 200 m || 23.4 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 22 March 1958
|-
|-
| 400 m || 57.0 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 6 January 1957
| 400 m || 57.0 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 6 January 1957
|-
|-
| 440 y || 57.0 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 6 January 1957
| 440 y || 57.0 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 6 January 1957
|-
|-
| 4x200m || 1-36.3 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 5 December 1956
| 4 × 200 m || 1–36.3 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 5 December 1956
|-
|-
| 4x220y || 1-36.3 || [[Sydney]], [[Australia]] || 5 December 1956
| 4 × 220 y || 1–36.3 || [[Sydney]], Australia || 5 December 1956
|}
|}


'''World Rankings''' - 100m<ref name=100rank/> and 200m<ref name=200rank/> - rankings commenced in 1956.
'''World Rankings''' – 100m<ref name=100rank/> and 200m<ref name=200rank/> – rankings commenced in 1956.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 119: Line 135:
|-
|-
| 1960 || 100m || 9
| 1960 || 100m || 9
|-
|}
|}


'''Australian Championships Record'''<ref name=aa/> - prior to 1963 Championships were held every two years
'''Australian Championships Record'''<ref name=aa/> – prior to 1963 Championships were held every two years
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
Line 128: Line 143:
! 100y
! 100y
! 220y
! 220y
! 80m Hurdles
! 80m hurdles
! 4x110y relay
! 4×110y relay
|-
|-
| 1950 || - || - || 4 || 1
| 1950 || – || – || 4 || 1
|-
|-
| 1952 || - || - || - || -
| 1952 || – || – || – || –
|-
|-
| 1954 || 2 || 3 || - || 1
| 1954 || 2 || 3 || – || 1
|-
|-
| 1956 || 3 || 2 || - || 1
| 1956 || 3 || 2 || – || 1
|-
|-
| 1958 || 1 || 1 || - || 1
| 1958 || 1 || 1 || – || 1
|-
⚫
| 1960 || 3 || DNQ || - || 2
|-
|-
⚫
| 1960 || 3 || DNQ || – || 2
|}
|}


==References==
==References==
{{Commons category|Marlene Mathews}}
{{reflist}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=sr>[https://web.archive.org/web/20200417173403/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ma/marlene-mathews-willard-1.html Marlene Mathews-Willard]. sports-reference.com</ref>
<ref name=tf>[http://trackfield.brinkster.net/Profile.asp?ID=3026&Gender=W Marlene Willard (née Mathews)]. trackfield.brinkster.net</ref>
}}


{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 100 metres Women}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 100 metres Women}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 200m Women}}
{{Footer Commonwealth Champions 200m Women}}
{{Footer Australia NC 100m Women}}

{{authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Matthews, Marlene
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian sprinter
| DATE OF BIRTH = 14 July 1934
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, Marlene}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Matthews, Marlene}}
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:1934 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australian sprinters]]
[[Category:Australian female sprinters]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1956 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1956 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic athletes of Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic athletes for Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Australia]]
[[Category:Sportswomen from Sydney]]
[[Category:Sportswomen from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in athletics (track and field)]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
⚫
[[Category:Female sprinters]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Athletes from Sydney]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1960 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1956 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists in athletics (track and field)]]
⚫
[[Category:Olympic female sprinters]]
[[Category:Medallists at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Australian Athletics Championships winners]]

Revision as of 11:52, 9 January 2024

Marlene Mathews
Mathews (center) at the 1956 Olympics
Personal information
Born14 July 1934 (1934-07-14) (age 90)
Sydney, New South Wales
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventSprint
ClubWestern Suburbs AAC, Sydney
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)100 m – 11.4 (1956)
200 m – 23.3 (1958)
400 m – 56.7 (1957)[1][2]
Medal record
Representing  Australia
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1956 Melbourne 100 metres
Bronze medal – third place 1956 Melbourne 200 metres
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1958 Cardiff 100 yards
Gold medal – first place 1958 Cardiff 220 yards
Silver medal – second place 1958 Cardiff 4×110y relay

Marlene Judith Mathews AO (later Willard; born 14 July 1934) is a retired Australian Olympic sprinter. She has been described as 'one of Australia's greatest and unluckiest' champions.[3]

Early career

Mathews attended Fort Street High School in Sydney and began competing in athletics in the late 1940s.

At the 1950 Australian Championships, she placed fourth, behind Shirley Strickland, in the 80 m hurdles and ran in the winning state relay team,[4] but was not selected for the 1950 British Empire Games team.

A few days after her 16th birthday at the NSW Championships, she ran a great race at the New South Wales Championships 100 yards final, placing second to world record-holder Marjorie Jackson and beating four members of the Australian Empire Games team, including Olympic medalist Strickland.[5]

Mathews was considered a certainty to gain selection to the 1952 Summer Olympics before a leg injury forced her out of competition.[6]

International career

Matthews (left) in 1960 with Betty Cuthbert

In 1954, recovered from her injuries, she ran second to Jackson in the National 100 yards championship (and third in the 220 yards)[4] and was duly selected to run in her first international championships at the 1954 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. She was unlucky again, breaking down injured in her heat of the 100 yards.[1][4]

At the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, she won two bronze medals, over 100 metres and 200 metres. In both races she was beaten by countrywoman Betty Cuthbert (gold) and German Christa Stubnick (silver).[1][4]

In a controversial move, she was left out of the gold-medal winning Australian 4×100 metres relay team as she was 'not considered a good relay runner" but soon after the Games she assisted an Australian team to world records for 4×200 metres and 4×220 yards relay events.[7]

She proved her versatility in the sprint events by setting a new world record at 400 metres with 57.0 seconds on 6 January 1957.

On 20 March 1958, at the Australian Championships, she set a new world record over 100 yards with 10.3 seconds, and two days later she ran 220 yards in 23.4 seconds and set another world record.[4] In both races, she defeated world-record holder and Olympic champion Cuthbert.

At the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, Mathews took out the 100 yards and 220 yards, again beating Cuthbert.[1] She was ranked #1 in the world for both 100 metres[8] and 200 metres[9] in both 1957 and 1958.

Mathews' final competition was at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, where she was eliminated in the 100 metres semi-finals.[1][4]

Personal details and honours

Mathews married fireman Barry Willard in 1958 but they later separated. She was an assistant manager of the Australian Olympic Team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.[3] She became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1979 for her services to athletics, and an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 1999. Mathews was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 [3] and into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2010.[10] In 1993, the State Transit Authority named a RiverCat ferry after Matthews. In 2018 a bronze sculpture of her (and one of Betty Cuthbert) was unveiled at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Australia.[11] This makes them the first female athletes added to the bronze sculptures in the Sydney Cricket Ground precinct.[12]

Statistics

Personal bests[5]

Event Time Wind Place Date
100 y 10.3 0.0 Sydney, Australia 20 March 1958
100 m 11.5 – Sydney, Australia 10 March 1956
200 m 23.4 0.0 Sydney, Australia 22 March 1958
220 y 23.4 0.0 Sydney, Australia 22 March 1958
400 m 57.0 – Sydney, Australia 6 January 1957
440 y 57.0 – Sydney, Australia 6 January 1957

World Records[5]

Event Time Place Date
100 y 10.3 Sydney, Australia 20 March 1958
200 m 23.4 Sydney, Australia 22 March 1958
400 m 57.0 Sydney, Australia 6 January 1957
440 y 57.0 Sydney, Australia 6 January 1957
4 × 200 m 1–36.3 Sydney, Australia 5 December 1956
4 × 220 y 1–36.3 Sydney, Australia 5 December 1956

World Rankings – 100m[8] and 200m[9] – rankings commenced in 1956.

Year Event Ranking
1956 100m 3
200m 4
1957 100m 1
200m 1
1958 100m 1
200m 1
1959 100m 2
1960 100m 9

Australian Championships Record[4] – prior to 1963 Championships were held every two years

Year 100y 220y 80m hurdles 4×110y relay
1950 – – 4 1
1952 – – – –
1954 2 3 – 1
1956 3 2 – 1
1958 1 1 – 1
1960 3 DNQ – 2

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marlene Mathews.
  1. ^ a b c d e Marlene Mathews-Willard. sports-reference.com
  2. ^ Marlene Willard (née Mathews). trackfield.brinkster.net
  3. ^ a b c Australian Biographical Database profile – Marlene Mathews. Womenaustralia.info. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Marlene WILLARD (Mathews) (NSW). Athletics Australia profile
  5. ^ a b c "Athletics Gold profile". Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 8 October 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  6. ^ Marlene Mathews. Sport Australia Hall of Fame
  7. ^ Australian Olympic Committee – Marlene Mathews vignette Archived 11 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Corporate.olympics.com.au. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.
  8. ^ a b Track & Field News World Rankings-100m Archived 9 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.
  9. ^ a b Track & Field News World Rankings-200m Archived 9 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Trackandfieldnews.com. Retrieved on 1 March 2016.
  10. ^ "Athletics Australia Hall of Fame". Athletics Australia. Athletics Australia.
  11. ^ "Bronze sculptures of Australia's olympic athletes Betty Cuthbert and Marlene Mathews Photos and Images | european pressphoto agency". Epa.eu. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
  12. ^ "Cuthbert and Mathews our first ladies in bronze - Precinct". Scgt.nsw.gov.au. Archived from the original on 3 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
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