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1948 Olympic champion John Winter, 83, died peacefully on Wednesday 5 December after a short battle with poor health, Athletics Australia has announced.
John Winter
December 3, 1924 - December 5, 2007
Western Australia’s first Olympic gold medallist, Winter triumphed in the High Jump at the 1948 London Olympic Games with a leap of 1.98m.
Almost 60 years have passed since that day and Winter remains the only Australian to have ever captured gold in the High Jump, as well as the last Australian athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in the field.
Winter’s career also included the 1948 British title, the 1948 Irish championship and captaincy of the British Empire team that competed against the USA after the Olympic Games. Again, he won the high jump in clearing 6 foot 6.
He retired at the age of 27, 10 months after winning the Auckland British Empire Games gold medal in 1950 - yet again, on that magical height.
In retirement, John remained a valued member of the Olympic Movement in Western Australia, generously inspiring and supporting others who had their own Olympic dreams.
Athletics Australia for the IAAF
