Olympian

Born: April 20, 1938;

Died: August 6, 2017

BETTY Cuthbert, who has died aged 79, was an Olympian who became the only runner to win Olympic gold medals in the 100, 200 and 400m sprints. One of Australia's greatest Olympians, in all she set nine world records in sprint events.

Dubbed the Golden Girl in Australia, Cuthbert had a starring role as an 18-year-old at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, where she won the 100-200 double and anchored Australia's winning 4x100m relay team. She was honoured with a statue cast in bronze outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the main 1956 Olympic stadium.

Four years later, she was injured during the 1960 Olympics and then retired for 18 months before returning to competition and winning the gold medal in the 400 at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo.

She was born in Sydney where her father ran a vegetable and flower business and from an early age it was clear that she had a talent for running. By the time she was eight, she was winning school championships and was encouraged by her PE teacher June Ferguson, who had competed in the sprint relay and long jump at the 1948 London Olympics.

She began to seriously train at 13 and after leaving school at 15, worked in a clothing factory before focusing on her chance at the 56 Olympics.

Cuthbert was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969 and was restricted to a wheelchair later in life. In one of her last major public appearances, she carried the Olympic torch in the stadium before the cauldron was ignited to open the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Two years later Cuthbert had a severe brain haemorrhage and was close to death but her health recovered to some extent and in 2008, left with movement only in her left hand and arm, she opened a treatment facility in Melbourne which had been named in her honour.

“I know people listen to me because they know what I used to do before — run,” she said at the time. “If they can pick up some encouragement, it might help them. It helps me, too.”

Cathy Freeman, who lit the cauldron and won the 400m at the 2000 Olympics, said Cuthbert had been an inspiration. "It's a very sad day," Freeman said. "Betty is an inspiration and her story will continue to inspire Australian athletes for generations to come."

John Coates, who is an International Olympic Committee vice president and head of Australia's Olympic governing body, described Cuthbert as the Golden Girl of the track and a national heroine.

"Betty battled her illness for many years and showed tremendous courage, but more importantly she always managed to smile," Coates said.

The Australian Olympic Committee said an example of Cuthbert's humility was how she prepared for the first Olympics staged in Australia. She had bought some tickets to attend the games as a spectator because she was not certain she would qualify for the team.

Betty Cuthbert is survived by her sisters Marie and Jean.