Speech topic: Elizabeth 'Betty' Cuthbert.
Lots of people might do their speech on people like Stephanie Rice who won gold in swimming, in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. I'm going to do my three minute talk on someone that took part in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne. Her name is Elizabeth Cuthbert or Betty as many people like to call her.
Betty Cuthbert was born on the 20th of April, 1938 in Merrylands which is located in New South Wales. She grew up in Ermington located in Sydney, she attended a public school there. Betty is now 70 years old.The main street of Ermington shopping centre is called Betty Cuthbert Avenue in her honour.
She took part in the woman's athletics and it all went up - hill for her. She was only eighteen when she set her first record in Melbourne, 1956. Soon she became Australia's "Golden Girl". She was one of the favourites in that event. She set nine world records which are 60, 100, 200, 220 and 440 metres, those were the individual runs she made. Betty also participated in the relays they are the 4x100, 4x110, 4x200 and 4x220 metres.
Cuthbert was one of the bearers of the Olympic Torch at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She carried the Olympic Torch at the stadium, as one of the runners for the final segment, before the lighting of the Olympic Flame by Cathy Freeman.
Betty has achieved four gold medals in the Olympic Games. In the Commonwealth Games, Betty was awarded two silver medals and one gold medal. She also has achieved nine world records.
Then tragedy struck, at the Rome games she suffered from an injury and was eliminated from the heats of the 100 metres. Later on, she retired from the sport of track & field. But that retirement didn't last very long, for she returned at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth and she won gold in the sprint relay.
Afterwards, she made up her mind that she will retire, this time for good.
She later coached a number of athletes including Cheryl Peasley.
Today, Elizabeth Cuthbert suffers from multiple sclerosis and leads a peaceful life in Western Australia. For someone that doesn't know what multiple sclerosis is, this is the dictionary meaning. Multiple Sclerosis - A chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord characterized by changes in sensation, visual problems, weakness, depression, difficulties with coordination and speech, impaired mobility and disability.
This is a track and field schedule.
Weekly schedule
Monday-Friday: practice 4:15 - 6:00
Monday: team meeting 4:30 - go over results of previous meet and talk about upcoming meet.
Friday: team inspirational meeting and short practice.
Saturday: compete
Monday-Friday: Coaches meet with many of the field-event athletes throughout the day to give more individual attention.
Thursday, 16th of April 2009. Melbourne, Australia