Big Event

[DoubleRBar]

This month's (January) "Big Event" is a world record which was set 66 years ago today. There was no world record in this event before this performance. I can tell you that this world record was set in a city which would go on to host the Olympic Games some 43 years after this "Big Event". This particular world record was tied about five weeks later in a different country. Some of you might know that this event had another world record about six months ago.

The three countries mentioned above (country where the "Big Event" happened, country where this world record was tied about five weeks later, and the country where this event saw another world record about six months ago) all speak the same language.

Without using any research, please give the event, the name of the athlete, the site of this "Big Event", and for extra credit, give the actual performance.

Good luck.

[Merner521]

Well, you didn't exclude the hurdles, which saw records this past summer for w100H and w400H, so given the clue about the city and the seasonality of outdoor track down under, this has to be Sydney, Australia and one of those two events. I don't really know 50's track though, so no guesses on the athlete or time from me.

[DoubleRBar]

Merner521, you got the right city (Sydney) and you are on the right "track" for the event. Well done.

[bambam1729]

OK, Sydney, Australia - 1957 - first time world record for the event so I'll guess Betty Cuthbert in the women's 400 metres (or possibly in that era 440 yards)

[DoubleRBar]

My mistake about this event having a world record about six months ago. I was thinking of the 400 hurdles when the correct event is the women's 400. Very good, bambam 1729. You got the right event (women's 400). The athlete was not Betty Cuthbert. Not sure if anyone will know this athlete, unless you are from Australia.

[bambam1729]

Just looked it up - people should know of her - she won 2 Olympic medals

[DoubleRBar]

Yes, two bronze medals almost 67 years ago.

[J Rorick]

Dixie Willis ???

[DoubleRBar]

Not Dixie Willis. Willis ran the 800 for Australia in Rome.

[mw61]

Just looked it up - people should know of her - she won 2 Olympic medals

Marlene Matthews?

[DoubleRBar]

Yes, it is Marlene Mathews. Very good, mw61. Marlene Mathews ran 57.0 for women's 400 in Sydney, Australia, to set the first ever world record for this event (January 6, 1957). Interesting to note that eighth place in the women's 400 hurdles at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene was 54.93.

Thank you, mw61, Merner521, bambam1729, and J Rorick,

[DET59]

Yes, it is Marlene Mathews. Very good, mw61. Marlene Mathews ran 57.0 for women's 400 in Sydney, Australia, to set the first ever world record for this event (January 6, 1957). Interesting to note that eighth place in the women's 400 hurdles at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene was 54.93.

Thank you, mw61, Merner521, bambam1729, and J Rorick,

The record dropped 9+ seconds over the next 25 years, where it has stayed now for over 40 years. Strange event that women's 400 : )

Is 2023 the year 47.60 gets challenged ?