Maureen Caird
|
|
Maureen Caird (born September 29, 1951) is a former Australian track athlete, who specialised in the low hurdles.
Born in Cumberland, New South Wales, Caird began competing in athletics as a teenager, trained by the former coach of quadruple Olympic champion Betty Cuthbert, June Ferguson. She competed in several events, but the 80 m hurdles were her best event. However, national competition was tough, with compatriot Pam Kilborn being one of the top runners in the event.
However, Caird set good times (although finished behind Kilborn on all occasions), and she was selected for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico. Caird, only 17 at the time, was the youngest member of the Australian team. Both Caird and her rival Kilborn made the final, which was ran under wet conditions. To the surprise of most observers, Caird crossed the line just ahead of her fellow Australian, in a new world record time of 10,39. This upset also made Caird the youngest individual Olympic champion in athletics (at the time).
Caird never again managed to win a major title. At the 1970 Commonwealth Games, she finished second behind Kilborn in the 100 m hurdles (which had replaced the 80 m internationally). Her attempt to defend her Olympic title in 1972 stranded in the heats.
Caird currently lives in New Zealand.