Eileen Wearne

Alice Eileen Wearne (January 30 1912 - 6 July, 2007) was an Australian athlete who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and won gold and bronze medals at the 1938 British Empire Games.

Athletic career

She was born Alice Eileen Wearne in Sydney, New South Wales in NSW. Wearne was selected in the Australian Olympic team as a sprinter and was the second woman selected to represent Australia in athletics at the Olympic Games after Edith Robinson. [http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2235b.htm "Australian Women Biographical Entry" "Eileen Wearne"] ] She competed in the 100 metre sprint finishing fourth in her heat. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/australias-oldest-olympian-dies-aged-95/2007/07/09/1183833396606.html "Melbourne Age" "Australia's oldest Olympian dies aged 95" July 9, 2007] ]

Wearne continued to participate in athletic events in Australia during the 1930s and won New South Wales and Australian championships enjoying a healthy rivalry with Robinson. However, she did not compete in the 1934 British Empire Games or 1936 Summer Olympics. She entered the 1938 British Empire Games which were held in Sydney. Wearne finished third in the 220 yard sprint behind fellow Australians Decima Norman and Jean Coleman. She was a member of the 440 yard relay gold medal team with Norman. Wearne was the first woman to represent Australia at both the Olympics and British Empire Games with Victorian high jumper Doris Carter. [ [http://www.olympics.com.au/news.cfm?ArticleID=9473 Australian Olympic Committee "Australia’s oldest living Olympian passes away" 9 July 2007] ]

After Athletics

Wearne continued to be active in the Olympic movement in Australia. She lived to be 95 making her Australia's longest lived Olympian before her death in July 2007. [ [http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/australias-oldest-olympian-dies-aged-95/2007/07/09/1183833396606.html "Melbourne Age" "Australia's oldest Olympian dies aged 95" July 9, 2007] ]

References