In 1928, 18-year-old Norma Wilson and eight other New Zealanders competed at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam. The year before she had twice equalled the world record of 11.2 seconds for 100 yards, becoming the national 100-yards champion.
The 1928 Games were to bring New Zealand's first Olympic gold medal, for
Teddy Morgan in welterweight boxing. Wilson was favoured as a medal prospect in the 100 yards but was eliminated controversially in the semifinals.
Her first semifinal race was declared a no-contest when the runner next to her broke. The runner broke again in the restart, so Wilson stayed on her mark thinking another false start would be declared. To her dismay, the race was allowed to continue. She still ran second, a finish good enough for a final berth, or so she thought. But the judge ruled her third, eliminating her from the final.
Wilson became New Zealand's national 100-yards champion again in 1933 and was part of the national 4 x 110 yards sprint champion team.
She later married Teddy Morgan, who died in 1952 aged 47.
She was passionate about thoroughbred racing, an interest fostered by her father, Wattie Wilson. Rangi Marsh was the stable jockey for Wilson's father's trainers. He and Norma married, and among their children was Bruce, later a top jockey and prominent trainer.
The Marsh family moved to Hastings in the 1940s when Rangi continued to ride and also began public training. In 1949, Rangi retired from race-riding and the family bought a farm in Whakatane.
After Marsh died about 12 years later, his wife and family moved back to Hastings.
She was a keen supporter of Bruce's career as a jockey, watching him proudly as he won the 1971 Melbourne Cup on Silver Knight.
Norma Marsh raced a number of horses over the years, the most successful being Indian Mars. His many wins included the 1960 Avondale Cup, when ridden by Norm Holland.
She is survived by sons Barry, Graham and Bruce and daughter Faye.
- NZPA
