92-year-old Mathews aims for third Australian Olympics
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 21 Oct, 03:02 · Archive
Marlene Mathews, 92, won two bronze medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and marched in Sydney 2000's opening ceremony, and hopes to attend Brisbane 2032.
Marlene Mathews, the 92-year-old Australian track and field great, has set her sights on attending the 2032 Brisbane Olympics to complete a rare distinction spanning three Australian Games. She won two bronze medals at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics and marched in the opening ceremony at the 2000 Sydney Games.
Mathews was among members of the 1956 team feted at an Australian Olympic Committee dinner in Melbourne on Wednesday to mark the 70-year anniversary of those Games. Of the 325 members of that team, only 54 are known to be alive. At Melbourne 1956, Australia won 13 gold medals, its largest haul until Sydney 2000, when the nation won 16.
Mathews won her 100 metres heat and semi-final but had to settle for bronze as Betty Cuthbert claimed gold. She also won bronze in the 200 metres behind Cuthbert. 'I always say if I had a fairy godmother, I'd ask her if I could run the final of the 100m again,' Mathews said, reflecting on her performance at the Games. She acknowledged the uncertainty of her goal, saying 'I'm just looking forward to hoping I can be alive in 2032' and noting she would be nearly 100 years old.
How it is being reported
- Brisbane beckons for Mathews' Australian Olympics goalAfter winning two bronze medals at the 1956 Olympics and marching in the opening ceremony at Sydney 2000, Marlene Mathews plans to still be around for Brisbane.The West Australian · 21 Oct, 02:29
- Brisbane beckons for Mathews' Australian Olympics goalAfter winning two bronze medals at the 1956 Olympics and marching in the opening ceremony at Sydney 2000, Marlene Mathews plans to still be around for Brisbane.Perth Now · 21 Oct, 02:29
In this story: Marlene Mathews · Melbourne · Sydney · Brisbane · Betty Cuthbert · Australia
This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem
Comments (0)