Marjorie Jackson-Nelson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Marjorie Jackson-Nelson AC CVO MBE DStJ
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson in 2007
33rd Governor of South Australia
In office 3 November 2001 – 8 August 2007
Monarch	Elizabeth II
Premier	Rob Kerin (2001–02) Mike Rann (2002–07)
Preceded by	Sir Eric Neal
Succeeded by	Kevin Scarce
Personal details
Born	(1931-09-13) 13 September 1931 (age 93) Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse	Peter Nelson ​ ​ (m. 1953; died 1977)​
Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Personal information Height 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) Weight 66 kg (146 lb) Sport Sport Athletics Achievements and titles Personal best(s) 100 m – 11.4 (1952) 200 m – 23.59 (1952) Medal record Representing  Australia Olympic Games Gold 1952 Helsinki 100 m Gold 1952 Helsinki 200 m British Empire and Commonwealth Games Gold 1950 Auckland 100 yards Gold 1950 Auckland 220 yards Gold 1950 Auckland 3×110/220 yd Gold 1950 Auckland 4×110/220 yd Gold 1954 Vancouver 100 yards Gold 1954 Vancouver 220 yards Gold 1954 Vancouver 4×110 yards

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson (born 13 September 1931) is a famous Australian athlete and politician. She was known as "The Lithgow Flash" because of her incredible speed. Marjorie won two Olympic gold medals and seven Commonwealth Games gold medals. She also set six world records in running. Later in life, she became the Governor of South Australia from 2001 to 2007.

Early Life and First Races

Marjorie Jackson was born in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, in 1931. Her father worked as a toolmaker. During World War II, her family moved to Lithgow. When Marjorie was 13, her mother became sick. Marjorie then helped run the household.

At school, Marjorie started winning local races. People nicknamed her Bernborough after a famous racehorse. When she was 15, she went to Sydney for the national championships. She won every race she entered there.

Marjorie joined the South Sydney Athletics Club. She was invited to try out for the 1948 Summer Olympics. During the race, she thought the start was unfair. She stayed in the starting blocks while others ran. Because of this, she missed her chance to go to the Olympics.

Even though she worked as a typist, she kept training hard. The town of Lithgow even built her a special cinder track. Her father bought her track spikes and made her starting blocks. Marjorie trained at night, and her coach used his car headlights to light the track.

Amazing Athletic Career

In 1949, a famous Dutch athlete named Fanny Blankers-Koen visited Australia. She was supposed to compete in exhibition races. Marjorie Jackson beat her in all three of their races. In one race, officials mowed only Blankers-Koen's lane. But Marjorie still won and broke an Olympic record!

Marjorie set her first world record in January 1950. She ran 100 yards in just 10.8 seconds. From 1950 to 1954, she won every state and national title she entered. She was truly "The Lithgow Flash."

1950 Commonwealth Games Success

Marjorie competed in the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand. She won four gold medals there. She won the 100 yards, the 200 yards, and two team relay races. Her teammates included Shirley Strickland and Verna Johnston.

1952 Summer Olympics Glory

Marjorie Jackson (centre) with Bertha Brouwer and Nadezhda Khnykina after the 200 meters race at the 1952 Summer Olympics.

After her success in 1950, Marjorie was a favorite for the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. On the plane to Helsinki, she met fellow Australian athlete Peter Nelson. They later got married.

Marjorie won a gold medal in the 100 meters. She equaled the world record with a time of 11.5 seconds. She won by almost four meters, which was the biggest winning margin ever in that Olympic event. She also won gold in the 200 meters. She set new world records in the heats and semi-finals.

In the 4x100 meter relay, Marjorie was the last runner for Australia. Her team was expected to win. But during the final baton pass, she accidentally dropped the baton. The American team won instead, setting a new world record. Marjorie's team finished fifth.

Marjorie Jackson was the first Australian woman to win an Olympic gold medal in athletics. She was also the first Australian to win an athletics gold since 1896. When she returned home, a song called "Our Marjorie" became popular. She rode in an open-topped car for over 150 km to Lithgow. In October 1952, she broke the 100 meters world record again. She was named "The Outstanding Athlete of 1952."

1954 Commonwealth Games and Retirement

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson competed in the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver, Canada. She won three more gold medals there. She won the 100 yards, the 220 yards, and the 4x110 yards relay. After these Games, at age 23, she decided to retire from athletics. She wanted to focus on her marriage.

Later Career and Public Service

After retiring from running, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson became involved in sports management. She was the first woman to manage a multi-sport team for Australia. She managed the Australian team at the 1994 Commonwealth Games. She also helped with the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1998 Commonwealth Games.

Marjorie was on the board for the Sydney Organizing Committee for the 2000 Summer Olympics. She was also one of eight people who carried the Olympic Flag at the opening ceremony. A road at Sydney Olympic Park is named after her.

Governor of South Australia

In late 2001, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson was chosen to be the Governor of South Australia. This is a very important role, representing the Queen in the state. She held this position until July 2007.

In 2006, she was one of the final four runners to carry the Queen's Baton Relay at the 2006 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony in Melbourne. A new hospital was planned to be named the "Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Hospital." However, she later asked for her name not to be used for it.

Personal Life

Marjorie married Peter Nelson on 7 November 1953. They moved to Adelaide and had three children. Peter continued his cycling career. Sadly, he was diagnosed with leukemia when he was 45. Marjorie cared for him for 22 months until he passed away in 1977. After his death, she started the Peter Nelson Leukemia Research Fellowship Fund. Her goal was to help find a cure for leukemia.

Awards and Recognition

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson has received many honors for her achievements:

• 1953: She became a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her service to women's athletics.
• 1985: She was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
• 2001: She became a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) when she became governor.
• 2002: She was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) by Queen Elizabeth II.

The MV Marjorie Jackson RiverCat ferry leaving Sydney Olympic Park ferry wharf.

Marjorie Jackson-Nelson also received the Olympic Order. This is the highest award given by the International Olympic Committee. She received it in Beijing in 2008. She is also a Dame of the Venerable Order of Saint John and a Freeman of the City of London. In 1993, a Sydney RiverCat ferry was named after her.

See also

In Spanish: Marjorie Jackson para niños