Yvette Williams
Encyclopedia
Yvette Winifred Williams, CNZM
, MBE
(later Yvette Corlett, born 25 April 1929) is a retired athlete
from New Zealand
, the first woman from her country to win an Olympic
gold medal
. She won her Olympic gold medal in the Long Jump
event in 1952 held at Helsinki
.
Williams was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2000 she was voted Otago
Sportsperson of the Century.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
, MBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(later Yvette Corlett, born 25 April 1929) is a retired athlete
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
from New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the first woman from her country to win an Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
. She won her Olympic gold medal in the Long Jump
Long jump
The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength, and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a take off point...
event in 1952 held at Helsinki
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and largest city in Finland. It is in the region of Uusimaa, located in southern Finland, on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, an arm of the Baltic Sea. The population of the city of Helsinki is , making it by far the most populous municipality in Finland. Helsinki is...
.
Williams was inducted into the New Zealand Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2000 she was voted Otago
Otago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
Sportsperson of the Century.
External links
- Yvette Williams listing at NZ Hall of Fame
- Photo of Yvette Williams jumping, 1954
- Article (with video) on Yvette Williams