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• Born 30 January 1912
• Australia/New South Wales

Eileen Wearne was the second Australian woman to represent Australian in athletics when she competed in the 100y sprint at the Olympic Games of Los Angeles in 1932.

Wearne continued to compete in athletics until 1940 and she became (with Doris Carter) the first Australian women to compete in both Olympic and Empire (Commonwealth) Games when she raced in the 1938 Sydney Games.

Alice Eileen Wearne was born in 1912 and soon became better known as Eileen. She started competing in athletics during the 1930/31 season and showed her potential in sprint and jumping events.

In March 1931, she showed her versatility by winning the state's first Triathlon competition. Her score of 1636.66 points was made up of 100m (13.4), HJ (4’4) and Javelin (73’4)

In 1932 she upset defending champion Chrissie Dahm in the National Championships where she tied the national record of 11.2. Both she and Chrissie Dahm were selected to race in the National Games (and Olympic trials) in Melbourne and they dead-heated over 100y. At both competitions, Wearne had also won the 220y events in swift times and, with youth also on her side, was considered the favourite for Olympic selection.

Despite comfortable travel to the US aboard a brand new Matson liner and relatively luxurious training in LA (with New Zealand champion Thelma Kench), Wearne was not at her best during the Games and could not make it past her first round heat.

On her return to Sydney, Wearne contined to compete in athletics and won further state and Australian honours throughout the 1930s. In late 1937, she was still fast enough to win a place in the National Championships 220y, which earned her a place in the 1938 Empire Games team.

At the Sydney Games, Wearne ran well in her individual 220y event, winning a bronze medal behind the all-conquering Decima Norman, and setting a new personal best for 220y (25.2). This followed her earlier gold medal in the 440y relay where she teamed with Jean Coleman and Decima Norman for a comfortable win.

The above biography is a basic profile. As soon as I have time, the more detailed bio will replace this page.

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