Kathleen Rebecca Cuthbert (1925 – 2017)
Kay Cuthbert, a London telegraph operator born in Willesden, dived for Great Britain at the 1947 European Championships in Monte Carlo, despite never having won a British title.
The Olympic Games, which had been cancelled for twelve years during the Second World War, returned with the first Summer Olympics in 1948, which were held in London.
London Olympics 1948 Logo , Courtesy: olympicgameswinners.com (Click Here - to view footage of women’s high diving contest.)
Kathleen Cuthbert, 1948, Courtesy: www.olympedia.org
After years of rationing and the difficult economic climate following the War, these Olympics became known as the "Austerity Games". With no investment in building of new venues or accommodation for the games, events took place mainly at Wembley Stadium (then known as the Empire Stadium) and the Empire Pool at Wembley Park. However, a record 59 nations were represented by 4,104 athletes in 19 sports disciplines and featured 136 medal events.
Cuthbert competed in the women’s 3 metre springboard event at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Although titles had alluded her, in 1950, she finally won her first ASA title, competing in the 1-metre springboard event and her second ASA title in 1951 in the high board event.