Australian Golden Girl Betty Cuthbert, 79

(ATR) Betty Cuthbert is remembered for her exploits at the Olympics and her courage dealing with multiple sclerosis for nearly 50 years.

A state funeral is planned for Cuthbert in Perth, where she lived for many years after moving from Sydney.

A minute of silence was observed at the opening of the Monday night session of the IAAF Athletics World Championships in London. Cuthbert won four gold medals in her Olympic career including three at the 1956 Games in Melbourne, the first Australian to accomplish that feat. She was one of the initial members of the IAAF Hall of Fame which was launched in 2012.

Olympic historian Harry Gordon chronicled the phenomenon of the previously unknown teenager from Sydney.

"The heroine of the main stadium, the athlete who became known as Australia’s Golden Girl, was a tearaway sprinter called Betty Cuthbert, then aged 18. She had straw-coloured hair and a distinctive, wide mouthed manner of gulping air that made her look to be roaring exultantly as she streaked down the track," wrote Gordon.

Injury kept her from Rome in 1960 but in 1964 she ended her Olympic career in Tokyo with a gold medal in the 400m.

In 1969 she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. But the crippling disease did not deter her from public life, campaigning to raise money to find a cure as well as helping the Australian Olympic Committee with its fund raising.

"Betty was the Golden Girl of the track and a national heroine. It’s very sad to lose such a great champion," says AOC President John Coates.

"Betty battled her illness for many years and showed tremendous courage, but more importantly she always managed to smile," Coates said.

"On the track in 1956 in Melbourne she joined a special band of athletes who started what we call the "golden era" in Australian sport, Betty was a member of a unique band of athletes who inspired thousands of Australians," Coates said.

In 2000 Cuthbert returned to the Olympics as one of the final torchbearers during the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. Sprinter Raelene Boyle, a silver medalist at three Olympics starting in Mexico City, pushed Cuthbert’s wheelchair.

Cathy Freeman, the hurdler who lit the Sydney cauldron minutes after Cuthbert carried the torch, was one of the Australian athletes who was inspired by Cuthbert.

"Betty is an inspiration and her story will continue to inspire Australian athletes for generations to come. I’m so happy I got to meet such a tremendous and gracious role model, and Olympic Champion," Freeman said.

Australia Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was among others paying tribute to Cuthbert.

"Rest in peace Betty Cuthbert - an inspiration and a champion on and off the track," said Turnbull via Twitter.

Written by Ed Hula.

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