Editing Betty Cuthbert

{{Short description|Australian sprinter (1938–2017)}}
{{Use Australian English|date=August 2011}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox sportsperson
| name             = Betty Cuthbert
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|AC|MBE}}
| image            = Betty Cuthbert, c. 1950s, by Ted Hood.jpg
| image_size       = <!--Only for images narrower than 220 pixels.-->
| caption          = Betty Cuthbert c. 1950s
| headercolor      = 
| birth_name       = Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert
| fullname         = 
| nickname         = 
| nationality      = Australian
| birth_date       = {{birth date|1938|4|20|df=y}}
| birth_place      = [[Ermington, New South Wales]], Australia
| death_date       = {{death date and age|2017|8|6|1938|4|20|df=y}}
| death_place      = [[Mandurah]], [[Western Australia]], Australia
| height           = 5 ft 6+1/2 in
| weight           = 126 lb
| website          = <!-- {{URL|www.example.com}} -->
| country          = Australia
| sport            = Athletics
| event            = [[100 metres]]<br />[[200 metres]]<br />[[400 metres]]
| retired          = 
| coach            = [[June Maston|June Ferguson]]
| medaltemplates   = 
{{Medal|Sport | Women's [[Athletics at the Summer Olympics|athletics]] }}
{{Medal|Country | {{AUS}} }}
{{MedalCount | total = yes
| [[Summer Olympic Games|Olympic Games]] | 4 | – | –
| [[British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] | 1 | 2 | –
}}
{{Medal|Competition | [[Olympic Games]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics|100 metres]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1956 Summer Olympics|1956 Melbourne]] | [[Athletics at the 1956 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metres|200 metres]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | 1956 Melbourne|4 × 100 m relay }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1964 Summer Olympics|1964 Tokyo]] | [[Athletics at the 1964 Summer Olympics|400 metres]] }}
{{Medal|Competition | [[British Empire and Commonwealth Games]] }}
{{Medal|Gold | [[1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1962 Perth]] | [[Athletics at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – Women's 4 × 110 yards relay|4 × 110 yards relay]] }}
{{Medal|Silver | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Cardiff]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|220 yards]] }}
{{Medal|Silver | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|1958 Cardiff]] | [[1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games|4 × 110 yards relay]] }}
}}

'''Elizabeth Alyse Cuthbert''' {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|AC|MBE}} (20 April 1938 – 6 August 2017), was an Australian [[Athletics (sport)|athlete]] and a four-time [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] champion.<ref name="olympic">{{cite web|title=Betty Cuthbert|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cu/betty-cuthbert-1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417173353/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cu/betty-cuthbert-1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 April 2020|website=Sports Reference website|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> She was nicknamed Australia's "Golden Girl".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/sports/olympics/betty-cuthbert-dead-australian-olympic-sprinter.html|title=Betty Cuthbert, Australia's 'Golden Girl' of Track and Field, Dies at 79|last=Goldstein|first=Richard|date=2017-08-06|work=The New York Times|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Gordon">{{cite web |last=Gordon |first=Harry |year=2000 |url=http://www.athletics.com.au/fanzone/hall_of_fame/betty_cuthbert |title=Betty Cuthbert AM MBE |work=Athletics Australia Hall of Fame |publisher=Athletics Australia |access-date=9 March 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016122340/http://www.athletics.com.au/fanzone/hall_of_fame/betty_cuthbert |archive-date=16 October 2009 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> She was named in 1998 an [[National Living Treasure (Australia)|Australian National Treasure]] and was inducted as a Legend in the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame Awards|Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] in 1994 and the [[Athletics Australia|Athletics Australia Hall of Fame]] in 2000.<ref name="sahof">{{cite web |url=https://sahof.org.au/hall-of-fame-member/betty-cuthbert/|title=Betty Cuthbert |work=Sport Australia Hall of Fame |access-date=24 September 2020}}</ref>

==Early life==
Cuthbert was born to Leslie and Marion alongside her nonidentical<ref name="theaustralian1">{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/olympics/twin-to-bring-golden-girl-betty-cuthbert-home-as-nsw-offers-state-service/news-story/7a8f59a1a26d86953c7b3bdef6106e17|title=Subscribe {{!}} theaustralian|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2017-08-09}}</ref> twin sister, Marie 'Midge'. She also had another sister, Jean and a brother, John.<ref name="ww">{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article57126094 |title=I Run Again |newspaper=[[The Australian Women's Weekly]] |volume=47 |issue=14 |location=Australia |date=5 September 1979 |access-date=8 August 2017 |page=16 |via=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name="dt">{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/betty-cuthbert-overcame-injuries-to-come-back-and-win-a-fourth-gold-medal/news-story/c46c51cac84eeac357cc48ae7b8274a9|title=Betty Cuthbert overcame injuries to come back and win a fourth gold medal|last1=Lennon|first1=Troy|date=7 August 2017|work=Daily Telegraph|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref name="australian" /><ref name="twin">{{cite web|url=http://parramatta-advertiser.whereilive.com.au/news/story/betty-cuthbert-returns-to-ermington-for-honour/|title=Betty Cuthbert returns to Ermington for honour|author=Bartok, Di|date=21 June 2010|work=Parramatta Advertiser|access-date=22 March 2012|quote=Attending were members of her family, including twin sister Marie Johnson}}and she had some kids and you do not want to know how to make kids</ref> Cuthbert was born 20 minutes before Marie.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/betty-cuthbert-golden-girl-who-ran-into-the-history-books-20170807-gxqsw9.html|title=Betty Cuthbert, 'Golden girl' who ran into the history books|date=2017-08-07|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en-US}}</ref> According to Midge, the twins were not alike, but very special to each other.<ref name="theaustralian1"/> The daughter of nursery owners, Cuthbert was born in [[Merrylands, New South Wales]], and grew up in the Sydney suburb of [[Ermington, New South Wales|Ermington]], where she attended Ermington Public School.<ref>Anna (class 4S), ''[http://www.ermington-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/school.html Ermington Public School History] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060824155439/http://www.ermington-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/school.html|date=24 August 2006}}'', [http://www.ermington-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/ Ermington Public School Website] (accessed 19 June 2006)</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://christiantoday.com.au/news/person-of-faith-betty-cuthbert.html|title=Person of Faith: Betty Cuthbert|website=christiantoday.com.au|language=en|access-date=2017-08-12}}</ref>

Marion attended church and sent her four children to Sunday school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://creation.com/still-running-for-god|title=Still running for God - creation.com|website=creation.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-07}}</ref> As a teenager, Cuthbert attended [[Macarthur Girls High School|Parramatta Home Science School]]. She left school at the age of 16 to work in the family nursery.<ref name="dt" />

==Athletic career==
[[File:Betty Cuthbert, Marlene Mathews, Heather Armitage, 1956 Olympics.jpg|thumb|Betty Cuthbert, 100 m final, 1956 Olympics]]
Cuthbert was a member of the [[Western Suburbs Athletic Club]].<ref name=olympic/> 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.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xe00AAAAIBAJ&pg=3303,2275936 |title=Miss Cuthbert Loses Record |newspaper=The Age |date=15 September 1959 |access-date=15 August 2011}}</ref>

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 [[Athletics at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games – Women's 4 × 110 yards relay|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.<ref name=iaaf/> She is the only [[Olympic Games|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 [[World Trophy for Australasia|Helms Award]] for her sporting contributions.<ref>{{cite web |title=Betty Cuthbert |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cu/betty-cuthbert-1.html |website=sports-reference.com |publisher=Sports ReferenceLLC |access-date=12 May 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518102256/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cu/betty-cuthbert-1.html |archive-date=18 May 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

She was coached by [[June Maston|June Ferguson]], who was her physical education teacher in high school.<ref>{{cite web|title=June Ferguson|url=http://athletics.com.au/About-Us/Hall-of-Fame/June-Ferguson|website=Athletics Australia Hall of Fame website|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref name=dt/>

==Personal life==
Cuthbert had [[multiple sclerosis]] from 1969 and in 2002 had a severe [[brain haemorrhage]].<ref name="ny">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/sports/olympics/betty-cuthbert-dead-australian-olympic-sprinter.html|title=Betty Cuthbert, Australia's golden girl of track dies at 79|last1=Goldstein|first1=Richard|date=6 August 2017|work=New York Times|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> She stated that, despite her [[Multiple sclerosis|MS]], she never once asked God 'Why me?', and instead "knew that God wanted her to use it to help other people."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/athletics/happy-and-contented-betty-cuthberts-humility-outpaced-her-greatness-20170807-gxqnpk.html|title=Happy and contented: Betty Cuthbert's humility outpaced her greatness|last=FitzSimons|first=Peter|date=2017-08-07|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en-US}}</ref> In 1985, Cuthbert became a [[born again Christian|born-again Christian]] at the age of 47.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/betty-cuthbert-obituary-by-harry-gordon/news-story/0497d02495b47e2c51e1dc3e1cc3a6f7|title=Betty Cuthbert Born Again Christian|date=7 August 2017|work=The Australian|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegoal.com/players/trackfield/cuthbert_betty/cuthbert.html|title=TheGoal.com: Betty Cuthbert|website=www.thegoal.com|access-date=2017-08-12}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.websterworld.com/websterworld/websport/b/bettycuthbert449.html|title=WebsterWorld – Online Encyclopedia – Australian Encyclopedia – World Encyclopedia – Education Resource – WebsterWorld|last=www.websterworld.com|website=www.websterworld.com|access-date=2017-08-12|archive-date=12 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812172614/http://www.websterworld.com/websterworld/websport/b/bettycuthbert449.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/olympian-betty-cuthbert-remembered-as-australia-s-golden-girl-and-ms-advocate|title=Olympian Betty Cuthbert remembered as Australia's 'golden girl' and MS advocate}}</ref>

In 1991, Cuthbert left her home state, New South Wales, for Western Australia, where she settled in [[Mandurah]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.examiner.com.au/story/4836956/australian-olympic-legend-betty-cuthbert-has-died/|title=Australian Olympic legend Betty Cuthbert has died|last=Browne|first=Rachel|date=2017-08-07|work=The Examiner|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en}}</ref> Cuthbert was one of the bearers of the [[Olympic Torch]] at the [[2000 Summer Olympics opening ceremony|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]].<ref>{{YouTube|crO2l-Imbco|Clip of the Opening Ceremony, part 12}}. Names visible on the big screen at 5:42.</ref>

Cuthbert died in 2017, aged 79,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/07/olympic-great-betty-cuthbert-dies-reports|title=Australian Olympic great Betty Cuthbert dies: reports|date=7 August 2017|newspaper=[[SBS News]], [[Australian Associated Press|AAP]]|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/athletics/olympic-champion-betty-cuthbert-dead-at-79-20170806-gxqkbn.html|title=Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert dead at 79|date=7 August 2017|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald}}</ref> in Mandurah.<ref>{{cite news|title=Betty Cuthbert offered state funeral|url=http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/wa/2017/08/07/betty-cuthbert-offered-state-funeral.html|access-date=7 August 2017|work=Shy News|date=7 August 2017|archive-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170807091724/http://www.skynews.com.au/news/national/wa/2017/08/07/betty-cuthbert-offered-state-funeral.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> She never married or had children.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailyliberal.com.au/story/4836956/australian-olympic-legend-betty-cuthbert-has-died/?cs=2452|title=Australian Olympic legend Betty Cuthbert has died|last=Browne|first=Rachel|date=2017-08-07|work=Daily Liberal|access-date=2017-08-07|language=en}}</ref> Rhonda Gillam, a 78-year-old West Australian mother-of-three, devoted the last 26 years of her life to caring for Cuthbert.<ref name="australian">{{cite news|last1=Dalton|first1=Trent|title=Betty Cuthbert, multiple sclerosis and the gift of Rhonda Gillam|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/betty-cuthbert-multiple-sclerosis-and-the-gift-of-rhonda-gillam/news-story/fe31bb3c5ff73a45e762b68fb93d9e8d|access-date=7 August 2017|work=Weekend Australian Magazine|date=9 May 2015}}</ref> Gillam stated that Cuthbert's MS also took her hearing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/news/wa/suffering-over-betty-ng-b88559808z|title=Suffering over, Betty Cuthbert leaves a golden legacy|date=2017-08-08|work=The West Australian|access-date=2017-08-09|language=en-GB}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/special-features/in-depth/betty-cuthbert-was-she-our-greatest-athlete/news-story/dec3a84201cb404da9fb7d7b9c51466f|title=Cuthbert: Our greatest athlete?|access-date=2017-08-07}}</ref>

==Post-death==
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.<ref name="westaust">{{cite news|last1=Salvado|first1=John|title=Australians to wear armbands for Cuthbert|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/athletics/australians-to-wear-armbands-for-cuthbert-ng-s-1757147|access-date=7 August 2017|work=West Australian|date=8 August 2017}}</ref> Cuthbert was the only Australian among the 10 inaugural inductees to the IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.<ref name=westaust/> 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.''<ref name="gleeson">{{cite news|last1=Gleeson|first1=Michael|title=Athletics: Tributes for Betty Cuthbert|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/athletics/athletics-tributes-for-betty-cuthbert-20170807-gxr5yb.html|access-date=8 August 2017|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 August 2017}}</ref>
* [[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.''<ref name="sbs" />
* [[John Coates (sports administrator)|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.''<ref name="sbs" />
* [[Malcolm Turnbull]]: ''Rest in Peace Betty Cuthbert – an inspiration and a champion on and off the track.''<ref name="gleeson" />
* [[Bill Shorten]]: ''Rest in peace Betty Cuthbert, forever a golden girl.''<ref name="sbs">{{cite news|title=Australia's 'golden girl' of the track, Betty Cuthbert 'went into bat' for MS research.|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2017/08/07/olympian-betty-cuthbert-remembered-australias-golden-girl-and-ms-advocate|access-date=8 August 2017|work=SBS News|date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
Cuthbert's funeral was held on 16 August 2017 in Mandurah and her body was cremated at Fremantle Cemetery.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/australias-golden-girl-betty-cuthbert-farewelled-in-mandurah/news-story/91ace0b6da025b01d547dfdeda8e24a2|title=Betty 'forever our golden girl'|access-date=2017-08-16}}</ref> Several hundred were present, including [[Margaret Court]], [[Raelene Boyle]], and [[Marjorie Jackson-Nelson|Marjorie Jackson]]. [[Dawn Fraser]] (whom Cuthbert handed the Olympic Torch to during the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics) gave a speech.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-16/olympic-great-betty-cuthbert-laid-to-rest-at-mandurah-funeral/8812888|title=Olympic greats gather to bid farewell to Australia's 'golden girl' Betty Cuthbert|date=2017-08-16|work=ABC News|access-date=2017-08-16|language=en-AU}}</ref> Her twin sister, Midge, lit a candle of remembrance; and niece and nephew, Louise and Peter, also gave speeches.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/betty-cuthbert-farewelled-by-olympic-legends-family-and-friends/news-story/e9d03cad276a22c25fdd7804d2750c5c|title=Subscribe {{!}} theaustralian|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2017-08-16}}</ref> A public memorial service for Cuthbert was held on 21 August 2017, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/olympian-betty-cuthbert-remembered-in-memorial-service-at-scg-20170821-gy0xwu.html|title=Olympian Betty Cuthbert remembered in memorial service at SCG|date=2017-08-21|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-08-21|language=en-US}}</ref> Tributes were led by broadcaster [[Alan Jones (talkback host)|Alan Jones]] and Deputy Prime Minister [[Barnaby Joyce]]. Also in attendance were former athletes Norma Fleming and [[Marlene Mathews|Marlene Matthews]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofbiz.com/betty-cuthbert-remembered-at-scg-service/19507|title=Betty Cuthbert remembered at SCG service|website=gearsofbiz.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821174322/http://gearsofbiz.com/betty-cuthbert-remembered-at-scg-service/19507|archive-date=21 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Personal bests==
{| class="wikitable"
|+ 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==
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===
{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Time !! Wind !! Event!! City !! Date
|-
! 60 metres
| 7.2 ||0.6+ ||NSW Championships ||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||27 February 1960<ref name="iaaf">{{cite book|title=Progression of World best performances and official IAAF World Records|date=2003|publisher=IAAF|location=Monaco}}</ref><ref name="aarecord">{{cite web|title=Australian IAAF World Record Holders & World Best Performances|url=http://athhistory.sportstg.com/records/world_record_holders.htm|website=Athletics Australia website|access-date=7 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808032924/http://athhistory.sportstg.com/records/world_record_holders.htm|archive-date=8 August 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! 100 yards
| 10.4 ||0.0 ||NSW Championships||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||1 March 1958<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 220 yards
| 23.6 ||Under 2.0 ||National||[[Perth, Western Australia]]||18 January 1958<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 220 yards
| 23.5 ||1.2+ ||NSW Championships ||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]|| 8 March 1958<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 220 yards
| 23.2 ||Under 2.0 ||[[Australian Athletics Championships|Australian Championships]]||[[Hobart]], [[Tasmania]]|| 7 March 1960<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 200 metres
| 23.2 ||No wind ||Pre-Olympic Test||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]|| 16 September 1956<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 440 yards
| 55.6 ||-||National||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||17 January 1959<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 440 yards
| 54.3 ||-||International||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||21 March 1959<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 440 yards
| 53.5 ||-||Moomba Carnival||[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]||11 March 1963<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 440 yards
| 53.3 ||-||[[Australian Athletics Championships|Australian Championships]]||[[Brisbane]], [[Queensland]]||23 March 1963<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|}

===Team – manual and electronic timing===
{| class="wikitable"
! Event !! Time !! Wind !! Event !! City !! Date!! Other team members
|-
! 4 × 100 metres
| 44.9 ||- ||[[Olympic Games]] ||[[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]||1 December 1956||[[Shirley Strickland]], [[Norma Croker]], [[Fleur Mellor]]<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 4 × 100 metres
| 44.5 ||-||[[Olympic Games]] || [[Melbourne]], [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]]||1 December 1956||[[Shirley Strickland]], [[Norma Croker]], [[Fleur Mellor]]<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 4 × 110 yards
| 45.6 ||- ||[[Australian Athletics Championships|Australian Championships]] ||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||5 December 1956||[[Shirley Strickland]], [[Norma Croker]], [[Fleur Mellor]]<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|-
! 4 × 220 yards
| 1:36.3 ||-||Australia v USA v Commonwealth||[[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]||5 December 1956||[[Marlene Matthews]], [[Norma Croker]], [[Fleur Mellor]]<ref name=iaaf/><ref name=aarecord/>
|}

==Honours==
[[File:Betty Cuthbert.jpg|thumb|upright|Statue of Betty Cuthbert outside the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]]]
*1956 – [[ABC Sports Award of the Year|ABC Sportsman of the Year]]
*1960 – Captain of the women's section of the Rome Olympic team.
*1964 – [[World Trophy for Australasia]] (Helms Award)<ref name="sahof"/>
*1965 – [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) for her services to athletics in New South Wales<ref name=sahof/>
*1978–1980 – First female Trustee of the [[Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust]]<ref name="scg">{{cite web|title=VALE Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert AM MBE|url=http://www.sydneycricketground.com.au/latest-news/vale-olympic-champion-betty-cuthbert-am-mbe-/|website=Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust website|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
*1983 – [[Olympic Order]] (Silver)
*1984 – [[Order of Australia|Member of the Order of Australia]] (AM) for her services to sport and the community<ref name=sahof/>
*1985 – Inaugural inductee to the [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]]<ref name="sahof"/>
*1992 – the [[State Transit Authority]] of New South Wales named a [[Sydney RiverCats|RiverCat ferry]] after Cuthbert.
*1994 – [[Sport Australia Hall of Fame]] Legend
*1998 – Named a [[National Living Treasure (Australia)|National Living Treasure]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Betty Cuthbert|url=http://www.portrait.gov.au/portraits/2003.111/betty-cuthbert|website=National Portrait Gallery website|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
*2000 – Inaugural inductee of the [[Athletics Australia#Hall of Fame|Athletics Australia Hall of Fame]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Hall of Fame|url=http://athletics.com.au/About-Us/Hall-of-Fame|website=Athletics Australia website|access-date=6 August 2017}}</ref>
*2000 – [[Australian Sports Medal]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Betty Cuthbert|url=http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/IMP0122b.htm|website=Australian Women's Sport Register}}</ref>
*2000 – Life Member of the [[Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust]]<ref name=scg/>
*2001 – Inducted to the [[Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust]] Walk of Honour<ref name=scg/>
*2001 – [[Victorian Honour Roll of Women]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-26 |title=Betty Cuthbert AC MBE |url=https://www.vic.gov.au/betty-cuthbert-ac-mbe |access-date=2025-03-08 |website=State Government of Victoria |language=en-au}}</ref>
*2003 – Statue unveiled outside at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dubecki|first1=Larissa|title=Australia's golden girl delighted to get a bronze|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/08/08/1060145874176.html|access-date=6 August 2017|work=The Age|date=3 August 2003}}</ref>
*2007 – NSW Hall of Champions Legend<ref>{{cite web|title=Honour Roll|url=http://www.sports-centre.com.au/nsw_hall_of_champions/honour_roll|website=NSW Sports Centre website|access-date=7 August 2017}}</ref>
*2010 – Betty Cuthbert had a rose named after her<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.treloarroses.com.au/products/product.asp?pID=5576&cID=8&c=73648 |title=Treloar Roses |publisher=Treloar Roses |access-date=2018-01-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110305204848/http://www.treloarroses.com.au/products/product.asp?pID=5576 |archive-date=5 March 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*2012 – Inaugural inductee of the [[IAAF Hall of Fame]]<ref name="ESPNHoF">{{cite web |year=2012 |url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/trackandfield/story/_/id/7659839/jesse-owens-carl-lewis-first-class-iaaf-new-hall-fame-track-field |title=Track and field getting Hall of Fame |work=ESPN Olympic Sports |publisher=ESPN |access-date=8 March 2012}}</ref>
*2017 – [[Australian Women's Health Sport Awards]] Hall of Fame<ref>{{cite news|title=Sam Kerr named Women's Health sportswoman of the Year|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/sam-kerr-named-womens-health-sportswoman-of-the-year/news-story/c19d889c2983c34f1ea123d29066ac1e|access-date=23 October 2017|work=Daily Telegraph|date=18 October 2017}}</ref>
*2018 – A bronze sculpture of Cuthbert (and one of [[Marlene Mathews]]) 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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104015138/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 |archive-date=4 January 2018 |url-status=dead }}</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>
* The main street of Ermington shopping centre is named Betty Cuthbert Avenue in her honour<ref>Gregory's Street Directory, 59th Edition 1995, Map 310 B2</ref>
* Betty Cuthbert Grandstand at [[Sydney Olympic Park Athletic Centre]]
* 2018 – Made a Companion of the Order of Australia for "For eminent service to athletics at the national and international level, particularly as a gold medallist at the Melbourne and Tokyo Olympic Games, and as a role model, fundraiser, and advocate for research into a cure for multiple sclerosis."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/australia-day-honours-2018-the-full-list-20180125-h0o20j.html|title=Australia Day Honours 2018: The full list|date=2018-01-26|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2018-01-25|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Notable athletics achievements==
* 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 ==
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==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
* {{cite web |last=Prentis |first=Malcolm |url=http://nsw.uca.org.au/presbyterian100/greataussies.htm |title=Great Australian Presbyterians: The Game |publisher=Uniting Church in Australia |access-date=2007-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061211164227/http://nsw.uca.org.au/presbyterian100/greataussies.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=11 December 2006}}
* {{cite web |url=http://geocities.com/geetee/bios/cuthbert.html |title=Athletics Gold profile |access-date=2010-10-08 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027100138/http://geocities.com/geetee/bios/cuthbert.html |archive-date=27 October 2009 |df=dmy}}

==External links==
* {{sports links}}
* [http://athletics.com.au/About-Us/Hall-of-Fame/Betty-Cuthbert Betty Cuthbert] at the [[Athletics Australia]] Hall of Fame
* {{Australian Women's Register}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions 100 m Women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 200 m Women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 400 m Women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions 4x100 m Women}}
{{IAAF Hall of Fame}}
{{Footer New Zealand NC 100 m women}}
{{Footer New Zealand NC 200 m women}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cuthbert, Betty}}
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:2017 deaths]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1956 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
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[[Category:Athletes (track and field) at the 1964 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Australian female sprinters]]
[[Category:Australian Presbyterians]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia]]
[[Category:World record setters in athletics (track and field)]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of Australia]]
[[Category:Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Olympic athletes for Australia]]
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[[Category:People with multiple sclerosis]]
[[Category:Sportswomen from New South Wales]]
[[Category:Commonwealth Games medallists in athletics]]
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[[Category:Australian twins]]
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[[Category:Medalists at the 1956 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists in athletics (track and field)]]
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[[Category:Medallists at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games]]
[[Category:Australian Athletics Championships winners]]
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[[Category:20th-century Australian sportswomen]]