Marjorie Jackson

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson in April 2007

Marjorie Jackson AC , CVO , MBE (after marriage to Marjorie Jackson-Nelson ; born September 13, 1931 in Coffs Harbor ) is a former Australian athlete and Olympic champion . From 2001 to 2007 she was governor of the Australian state of South Australia .

biography

Jackson first became known internationally when she beat multiple Olympic champion Fanny Blankers-Koen in several sprint races in 1949 . She was nicknamed "Lithgow Flash" (Blitz von Lithgow , after her place of residence in New South Wales ).

After winning four titles at the British Empire Games in 1950 , she was the big favorite at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics . She lived up to expectations and won both over 100 meters and over 200 meters . Maybe they would have won a third gold medal, but the Australian 4 x 100 meter relay failed when handing over the baton. Jackson was named Sportswoman of the Year for her achievements.

Between 1950 and 1954 Jackson won all of the Australian championship titles over 100 yards , 100 meters, 220 yards and 200 meters. In total, she set ten world records .

Marjorie Jackson married the Australian cyclist Peter Nelson in 1953 and retired from top-class sport a year later. In 1977 her husband died of leukemia . Jackson then founded a foundation in his name that supports leukemia research. Jackson was also a sports official for several years.

On November 3, 2001, Jackson was named governor of South Australia . She held this office until August 8, 2007.

Honors

In 1953 she was named a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) .

In 1998 the Australian Post issued a series of stamps with "Olympic Heroes", Jackson among them. At the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000, she carried the Olympic flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony, along with seven other former sporting greats .

On the occasion of her upcoming governor, she became Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2001 . In 2002 Elizabeth II awarded her the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) during her visit to Australia

In 2007 it was announced that she would receive the Olympic Medal . This was presented to her the following year at the Olympic Games in Beijing .

In 2013 she was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame .

Web links

• Marjorie Jackson in the database of World Athletics (English)
• Marjorie Jackson in the database of Athletics Australia (English)
• Marjorie Jackson in the Sports-Reference database (English; archived from the original )
• Former Governor - Mrs. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE ( 29 August 2007 memento on the Internet Archives ), biography on the Governor of South Australia's website
• Jackson-Nelson, Marjorie (1931-) , entry in The Australian Women's Register, March 27, 2002 (last amended April 30, 2009)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Cancer Council SA: Peter Nelson Leukemia Research Fellowship Fund ( Memento of the original dated February 17, 2011 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
2. ↑ Australian Olympic Committee : Lithgow flash wins highest Olympic honor ( Memento of the original from October 6, 2009 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The  archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . July 15, 2007
3. ^ Australian Olympic Committee : Marjorie Jackson Nelson acknowledged by IOC . August 24, 2008
4. ↑ Nine News : Olympic honor for the Marjorie Jackson ( Memento of the original from September 12, 2008 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The  archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. . August 25, 2008