Ann Elizabeth PACKER

Ann Packer of Reading AC, the winner of the 800 metres at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, was one of the most versatile British athletes. In 1959 she won the English Schools 100 yards title, while the following year she was the WAAA long jump champion and made her international debut against Italy in that event. In 1962, she was a finalist in the 200 metres at the European Championships and the 80 metres hurdles at the Commonwealth Games. When she turned her attention to the 400 metres in 1963, she ran a world class 53.6 in only her fourth race at the distance.

For the Tokyo Olympics, Packer decided to concentrate on the 400 metres but she added a second string to her bow by trying the 800 metres early in 1964. In the Olympic 400 metres, although setting a European record of 52.0, she had to settle for the silver medal behind the Australian Betty Cuthbert, but then caused one of the major upsets of the Games in the 800 metres. She went to Tokyo with no experience at international 800 metres running and the Olympic heat was only her sixth race at the distance at any level. The eighth and final 800 metres race of her career was the 1964 Olympic final and with a devastating attack down the home straight, she broke the tape five metres clear in a new Olympic and European record of 2:01.1. Packer retired from the sport after the Tokyo Olympics at the age of 22, and she later married Robbie Brightwell, the silver medalist in the 4x400 metre relay. Both were awarded the MBE in the 1969 New Year’s Honors List.

Personal Bests: 200 – 23.8y (1964); 400 – 52.20 (1964); 800 – 2:01.1 (1964).