The Australian Women's Register

Summary

In Mexico in 1968, at the age of 17 years and 19 days, Maureen Caird created a record that could never be broken when she became the youngest Olympic track and field winner. Her event, the 80 meters hurdles, was increased to 100 meters at the next Olympic Games. As junior in 1969, she set two world records over the new hurdling distance of 200 meters.

Caird was an outstanding junior athlete and although she is best remembered for her hurdling, she was also a junior champion pentathlete (1967) and long jumper (1968).

Caird retired prematurely in 1972 when recurring stomach pains she experienced were diagnosed as cancer.

Events

• 1968

  Athletics – 80m Hurdles

  Gold Medalist at Mexico City Olympic Games
• 2000
• 1972