Mary Rand, the primary British lady to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics, has died on the age of 86.
Rand secured the lengthy leap title on the Tokyo Video games in 1964, additionally profitable silver within the inaugural ladies’s pentathlon and bronze within the 4x100m relay.
That meant she additionally grew to become the primary British lady to win gold, silver and bronze at a single Olympic Video games.
Within the lengthy leap, Rand broke the British and Olympic information together with her first leap of 6.59m after which smashed the world document on her fifth try with an effort of 6.76m.
“Mary was probably the most gifted athlete I ever noticed,” mentioned Ann Packer, who gained 800m gold on the 1964 Olympics days after Rand’s triumph and was her room-mate in Tokyo.
“She was pretty much as good as athletes get. There has by no means been something like her since – and I do not consider there ever will.”
Rand, whose first husband was British rower Sydney Rand, additionally gained lengthy leap gold on the 1966 Commonwealth Video games in Jamaica.
Nevertheless, damage denied her the prospect to defend her Olympic title in 1968 and he or she retired on the age of 28 the identical yr.
Born in Wells, Somerset, she was solely 17 when she set her first British document within the pentathlon, and he or she gained 12 nationwide titles throughout lengthy leap, excessive leap, dash hurdles and pentathlon throughout her illustrious profession.
Rand was voted the BBC Sports activities Persona of the 12 months in 1964 and was awarded an MBE within the 1965 New 12 months Honours Record.
