Yvette Williams training at St Clair Beach, Dunedin

c. 1948-53

Hocken Collections Uare Taoka o Hākena, P1968-001/4-003.

Unpublished

The Dunedin-born Yvette Williams (1929–2019) was the first woman from New Zealand to win an Olympic gold medal (Helsinki, 1952), and to hold the world record in the women’s long jump. When she retired in 1954, she was ranked number one in world track-and-field history in the long jump, fifth in the pentathlon, 12th in the discus throw, and 19th in the shot put. In 1953, she was awarded an MBE; in 2011, she was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit; and in 2019, she was posthumously awarded a Damehood. This iconic image depicts Williams training for the long jump at St Clair Beach, Dunedin.