From the Archives, 1963: World records tumble to sprinter Betty Cuthbert
First published in The Age March 12, 1963
Two Records to Betty Cuthbert
Hits Tape in New World Time
“I just went as hard as I could all the way; I knew a world record would be needed to win,” Betty Cuthbert said after she had thrashed her way to world 440 yards and 400 metres times at Olympic Park yesterday.
Betty Cuthbert hits the tape in a new world record time.Credit:The Age Archives
“I was tiring around the final bend, but when I looked to the inside, and I could not see anyone, I became confident that I could go on and win,” she said.
Betty, a 24-year-old assistant at her parents’ Sydney plant nursery, ran the 40 yards in 53.5 seconds to cut 0.2 seconds from the world record, held by Russian Maria Itkina.
Her 400 metres time of 53.1 seconds was 0.3 seconds better than the Russian girl’s world record for the distance.
A time of 53 seconds for 400 metres by Sin Kim Dan, of Korea, has been waiting ratification by the International Amateur Athletic Federation since October 22, 1960. It is doubtful whether it will be approved now.
The two records yesterday brought Betty’s world record tally to seven.
She has held the world 60 metres, 100 yards, 200 metres and 440 yards records, and still is co-holder of the world 220 yards record of 23.2 seconds, which she set in March 1960.
Her time also beat the Australia 440 yards record, which she held at 54.3 seconds, and the Victorian open record, while Judy Amoore, who finished second in 54.2 seconds, cut 1.5 seconds from her State residential record.
Surprised
Betty, who returned to athletics last year to win a gold medal at the Perth Commonwealth Games, after retiring late in 1960, said she was surprised she had run so fast.
“My coach, June Ferguson, and I realised that a world record would be run in the race. June felt sure that I could do it, but I was not so confident.
“The longest fast run I’ve had in training since the Commonwealth Games is over 180 yards, and I doubted whether I had the strength.”
Yesterday she used her early speed to draw to a commanding lead over her main rivals, Judy Amoore and Dixie Willis, in the first 220 yards, and although she showed signs of tiring around the turn she fought them on.
It was a great by the less experienced Judy Amoore, and proved conclusively that she has the class to be a threat in the 400 metres at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year.
World half-mile record holder Dixie Willis, tired after a tedious three-day train journey from Perth last week was far below her best in finishing third in 54.7 seconds.
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