Athlete Stories: Rosemary Stirling
Edinburgh 1970: Athletics
Edinburgh 1970 was a game of firsts. It was the first time the Games were held in Scotland, the first time metric distances and photo-finish technology were used, and the first time HM Queen Elizabeth II attended in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth. The 1970 Games also saw the expansion of women’s events. It was the first time that women competed at 1500 metres and the penthatlon was also added to the competition.
It was the first time Scotland won more than one gold medal in Athletics and remains the sport’s most successful Games to date. In front of the home crowd at Meadowbank Stadium gold medals were won by Lachie Stewart in the 10,000 metres, Ian Stewart in the 5,000 metres, Rosemary Wright in the 800 metres and Rosemary Payne in the discus.
The official history of the Games recorded the drama that unfolded in the women’s 800 metres final:
“In one of the closest and most exciting finished of the Games, Rosemary Stirling, Scotland, drove herself mercilessly down the straight to win the gold from Pat Lowe of England by the narrowest of margins, both being timed in 2.06.2. The race was marred, however, by a tragic accident to Sheila Carey, England, one of the favourites. On the back straight of the first lap, she tripped and fell. After a few seconds hesitation, she started running again, and pluckily finished, but it was a distressing experience. Stirling and Lowe, both affected by Sheila’s fall, quickly regained their balance and went on to stage a thrilling duel in the final straight, where Rosemary’s powerful drive carried her ahead just on the finish.”
From The Official History of the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
Rosemary Wright (nee Stirling) competed in three Commonwealth Games (1966, 1970, 1974). Born in New Zealand to a Scottish father and English mother the family moved to Wolverhampton in England when Rosemary was a teenager. Her performances in the run-up to the 1966 Games grabbed the attention of both Scottish and English team selectors. Interviewed for The Herald newspaper in 2014 Rosemary recalled her decision to compete for Scotland:
“I was offered an England vest [but] I told them they were too late, that I had already committed to Scotland. My grandparents were proud Scots and so was my dad. I never regretted it. Scotland, with smaller numbers, really looked after you.”
Rosemary Stirling
In an impressive athletic career Rosemary represented Great Britain at the European Championships and competed in the 1972 Olympic Games. She was part of the GB 4 x 400 metres team that broke the world record in Athens at the 1969 European Athletic Championships.
