One of New Zealands greatest Olympians, Yvette Corlett (nee Williams) was recently presented with her Olympians pin, number 76, and New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC) certificate Once an Olympian, Always an Olympian. The presentation and luncheon was organised at Yvettes Auckland home by three-time New Zealand Olympian Ralph Robert on behalf of the New Zealand Olympic Committee. Now aged 82, Yvette missed the presentation of Olympic pins to the Auckland Olympians when they were made several years ago, due to ill health. Yvette became one of New Zealands greatest Olympians after she became New Zealands first woman gold medallist by winning the long jump at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki, Finland. In addition to her gold medal in the long jump, Yvette also finished 6th in the 1952 Olympic shot put competition and 10th in the discus. In all three events she recorded career best performances. After missing out on breaking the world record by just 1cm in the Olympic long jump final she broke it only two years later in Gisborne. Roberts, who was also the Chef de Mission at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, has said that Yvette was a true trail blazer in New Zealand Olympic history and was more than happy to present her with her pin. It was a privilege and a pleasure to finally present her with her Olympic numbered pin and New Zealand Olympic Committee certificate. Not only is she one of our greatest Olympians but she is an outstanding individual. Despite all the fame that she has deservedly received she has never changed. She is still the same modest, natural person that she has always been, he said. Also present at the ceremony was her husband Buddy, brother Roy, daughter Karen, brother Peter, and 1952 teammates Bill Tinnock, his wife Judy Tinnock, Kerry Ashby and his wife Winifred Winkie Ashby and Jean Hurring.
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