Marise Chamberlain
Encyclopedia
Marise Chamberlain (born 5 December 1935 in Christchurch
) is a former New Zealand
middle distance runner. She is the only New Zealand woman to win an Olympic medal in track athletics (Lorraine Moller
won a medal in the Marathon
). She set world records over 440 and 880 yards as well as 1 mile.
At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
in Perth, Australia
she won a silver medal over 880 yards, behind Australian Dixie Willis
. Two years later, at the Summer Olympics
in Tokyo
, she won the bronze medal behind Ann Packer
(gold) and Maryvonne Dupureur
(silver), the top five runners beating the old Olympic record time set by Dupureur in the semifinals.
At the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
in Kingston, Jamaica
Chamberlain stumbled just before the finish line when leading in the 880 yds final and missed out on a medal.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
) is a former New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
middle distance runner. She is the only New Zealand woman to win an Olympic medal in track athletics (Lorraine Moller
Lorraine Moller
Lorraine Mary Moller is a former athlete from New Zealand who competed in track athletics and later specialised in the marathon. Moller's international career lasted over 20 years and included three Commonwealth and four Olympic Games...
won a medal in the Marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
). She set world records over 440 and 880 yards as well as 1 mile.
At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Perth, Western Australia, Australia from 22 November-1 December 1962. Athletic events were held at Perry Lakes Stadium in the suburb of Floreat and swimming events at Beatty Park in North Perth....
in Perth, Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
she won a silver medal over 880 yards, behind Australian Dixie Willis
Dixie Willis
Dixie Isabel Willis is a former Australian middle distance runner, who won the gold medal in the women's 880 yards event at the 1962 Commonwealth Games. She was selected to compete over 800 metres for her native country at two consecutive Summer Olympics...
. Two years later, at the Summer Olympics
1964 Summer Olympics
The 1964 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Tokyo had been awarded with the organization of the 1940 Summer Olympics, but this honor was subsequently passed to Helsinki because of Japan's...
in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, she won the bronze medal behind Ann Packer
Ann Packer
Ann Elizabeth Packer MBE is a former British sprinter, hurdler and long jumper. She won a gold medal in the 800 metres at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo....
(gold) and Maryvonne Dupureur
Maryvonne Dupureur
Maryvonne Samson Dupureur was a French middle distance who specialized in the 800 metres.Born in Saint-Brieuc, she won the silver medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan...
(silver), the top five runners beating the old Olympic record time set by Dupureur in the semifinals.
At the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games
The 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games were held in Kingston, Jamaica from 4 August to 13 August 1966. This was the first time that the Games had been held outside the so-called White Dominions....
in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
Chamberlain stumbled just before the finish line when leading in the 880 yds final and missed out on a medal.