New Zealand's first woman Olympic champion Yvette Corlett, nee Williams. (NZ Herald Archive)
At the Olympic Games in Helsinki Yvette Williams - now Corlett - set a high standard when she became the first of many New Zealand women to win a gold medal.
"As she prepared for that all-or-nothing leap, the thought rattled around her head: 'The New Zealand public expected me to do well, so I thought I can't let everybody down.'
"Then, on her next jump, she sped down the track and flew 6.24m, an Olympic record."
The Herald at the time reported: "At home the reactions of excitement varied from the extreme pride of her parents to a solemn motion of congratulations offered by the Auckland Stock Exchange."
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.From the Herald archives:
'The stuff of champions: Yvette Corlett', NZ Herald online, 24 October 2012
Further reading:
Biography of Yvette Williams, New Zealand History Online
'Yvette Williams leaps for gold at Helsinki', New Zealand History Online
Further viewing/listening:
Yvette Williams jumping, 1954, New Zealand History Online
Sound clip: Yvette Williams at the 1952 Olympics, New Zealand History Online
Pictorial Parade No. 24 (Watch Williams' long jump in slow motion!)
