Australian sprinting legend Betty Cuthbert has died at the age of 79, with an Olympic record still unmatched.
Cuthbert remains the only athlete, man or woman, to win Olympic gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m.
She is a four-time Olympic Games gold medallist, winning three at the 1956 Melbourne Games in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay events. Her gold in the 400m came eight years later at the Tokyo Olympics.
Cuthbert, who set nine world records during her career, died overnight after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.
Dubbed the Golden Girl of Australian athletics, she was the country’s first inductee into the IAAF Hall of Fame in the inaugural year in 2012, along with US icons Jesse Owens, Carl Lewis and 21 others.
Her lunge at the line in the 100m at the Melbourne Olympics is captured in bronze outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the scene of her 1956 track and field glory.
She failed to defend the titles at the 1960 Games in Rome due to injury.
But she returned to the Olympics four years later after a two-year retirement from the sport, winning a fourth gold medal and becoming the first athlete in the world to do so in four different events.
Athletics Australia, where Cuthbert is also a Hall of Fame member, confirmed her death on Monday.
“Athletics Australia is saddened to confirm the passing of Olympic legend Betty Cuthbert, Our thoughts with her family and friends,” the body tweeted.
The Sport Australia Hall of Fame, of which Cuthbert is a member, also offered their condolences.
“Betty was a true inspiration and role model to all Australians,” chairman John Bertrand said.
“Her feats on the track brought together Australians as one. She loved the country and we loved her.”
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, NSW sport minister Stuart Ayres, former world champion marathon runner Robert de Castella and tennis great Margaret Court were among those to pay tribute.
Cuthbert was born in Sydney in 1938, a twin to sister Marie.
A wheelchair-bound Cuthbert, who learned she had multiple sclerosis in 1969, was part of the torch relay at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics in 2000.
OLYMPICS:
GOLD – 1956 Melbourne Olympics 100m
GOLD – 1956 Melbourne Olympics 200m (world record)
GOLD – 1956 Melbourne Olympics 4x100m (world record)
GOLD – 1964 Tokyo Olympics 400m
HONOURS:
INDUCTEE – IAAF Hall of Fame (2012)
INDUCTEE – Athletics Australia Hall of Fame (2000)
INDUCTEE – Sport Australia Hall of Fame (1985)
Onside
Guest
........on grass tracks in Melbourne.
Chris Lewis
Roar Guru
A great runner in her day. winning all three sprint distances is an incredible feat.
Glenn Mitchell
Expert
Truly saddened to hear of Betty's passing. One of my most treasured memories from decades in the media was interviewing her for a Hall of Fame series for the ABC about 20 years ago. I visited Betty's house in Mandurah, south of Perth. She was an athlete typical of that era - gracious, giving and not one to use the cliches and patter so much a part of the modern sporting world. After a 45 minute interview she asked if I would like a cup of tea. Shortly after she emerged from her kitchen in her wheelchair with a tray on her lap containing cups of tea and biscuits. We chatted for another hour. She was a truly wonderful lady, totally unaffected by her fame. She leaves us with a record that may never be matched as the only athlete to win gold at the Olympics over 100m, 200m and 400m. The original "golden girl". She will be missed but leaves a legacy as great as any sportsperson this country has produced. RIP.