Wearne, Eileen (1912 - 2007)

Eileen Wearne became the second woman to represent Australia in atletics at the Olympic Games when she competed in the 100 meter sprint at Los Angeles in 1932. Unfortunately, she did not compete at her best in Los Angeles; she finished fourth in her heat in the time of 12.5 seconds which meant that she did not make the finals. On her return to Sydney, however, she continued to compete and won state and Australian titles throughout the 1930s. She and the first woman to represent Australia in athletics at the Olympic Games, Edith Robinson, enjoyed a healthy rivalry. In 1938, she represented Australia at the British Empire Games where she won a gold medal in the 4 X 100 yard relay and a bronze medal in the 200 meter sprint.

An extremely attractive young woman, so much so that, whilst in Los Angeles, she caught the eye of the U.S.media. In an article entitled ‘Future Weissmullers, Beautiful Amazons Keenly watched by Scurrying Studio Scouts’, a journalist noted that ‘scouts from the picture camps have been roving the practice fields ever since the first boatload of athletes was unloaded.' One of those at training who they noticed was 'Eileen Wearne of Australia' who had ' a beautiful figure, a great deal of poise and a nice voice.' Wearne's looks, according to her teammates, were ' proof that athletic competition does not detract from the beauty or femininity of women.'

Wearne retired from athletics in 1940 but remained involved in the Olympic movement. She was an active member of the NSW Olympian Club and loved attending reunion lunches.

• Wearne, Alice Eileen (birth name)

Events

1931	Winner of the first triathlon championship in New South Wales
1932	Set the national record of 11.2 seconds over 100 yards
1932	Competed at Los Angeles
1938	Gold Medalist at Sydney Empire Games - Athletics - 440y Medley Relay

Related Events

• Sydney Empire Games (1938)

  Eileen Wearne competed in the 1938 Empire Games in Sydney. She came third in the 220y (behind Decima Norman and Jean Coleman) and was a member of the gold medal winning 440 yards medley relay team.

  [1938]

Related People

• Mealing, Philomena (1912 - 2002)

  Bonnie Mealing and Eileen Wearne were members of the team that competed at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympic Games

• Norman, Decima (1909 - 1983)

  Eileen Wearne and Decima Norman competed against each other in national championships and at the British Empire Games in 1938. They were both members of the 440y relay team that won gold at the games.

• Robinson, Edith (1906 - 2000)

  Edith Robinson and Eileen Wearne were athletic rivals in the 1930s.

Australian Women Exhibitions

• She's Game: Women Making Australian Sporting History, Australian Women's Archives Project, 2007, http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/sg/sport-home.html. [ Details... ]