Shirley STRICKLAND-DE LA HUNTY

Shirley Strickland (de la Hunty) was the daughter of a professional sprinter in Australia, and she obviously inherited his speed. With seven Olympic medals Strickland de la Hunty set a record for women's track & field that, although subsequently equaled by Irena Szewiska-Kirszenstein, has been surpassed by Merlene Ottey-Page (eight medals).

The Australian sprinter-hurdler won three gold medals in the 80m hurdles in 1952 and 1956, and the 4x100m relay in 1956. She also won one silver in the 4x100m relay in 1948 and three bronze medals (100m in 1948 and 1956 and 80m hurdles in 1948).

At the 1950 British Empire Games she won three gold medals (hurdles and both relays) and two silvers (100 and 220 yards). During her career she set or equalled five individual world records, four in the hurdles, and one at 100m, and she was a member of five Australian relay teams which set or equalled world records.

Strickland de la Hunty was a graduate of the University of Western Australia and later became a physics and mathematics teacher, but she also coached track and field. At the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, she was one of several female Australian Olympians who carried the Olympic torch.