10 Facts About Marlene Mathews

Marlene Judith Mathews AO is a retired Australian Olympic sprinter.

Marlene Mathews has been described as 'one of Australia's greatest and unluckiest' champions.

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

Marlene Mathews was unlucky again, breaking down injured in her heat of the 100 yards.

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

At the 1958 Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales, Marlene Mathews took out the 100 yards and 220 yards, again beating Cuthbert.

Marlene Mathews married fireman Barry Willard in 1958 but they later separated.

Marlene Mathews was an assistant manager of the Australian Olympic Team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich.

Marlene Mathews became a Member of the Order of Australia in 1979 for her services to athletics, and an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1999.

Marlene Mathews was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and into the Athletics Australia Hall of Fame in 2010.