Aileen Meagher

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games • Non-starter
SexFemale
Full nameAileen Aletha•Meagher
Used nameAileen•Meagher
Born26 November 1910 in Edmonton, Alberta (CAN)
Died2 August 1987 in Halifax, Nova Scotia (CAN)
Measurements168 cm / 55 kg
AffiliationsSilverwood Ladies Track Club
NOC Canada
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Aileen Meagher attended the Sacred Heart School at Halifax and then Dalhousie University where she received a BA and diploma in education. She did not start her running career until she attended Dalhousie University. Meagher competed in the 1934 British Empire Games in London, England and won a gold in the 220-110-220-110 yards relay (with Lillian Palmer and the non-Olympians Audrey Dearnley and Betty White) and silver medals in the 110-220-110 yards relay (with Hilda Strike and the non-Olympian Audrey Dearnley) and in the 220 yards. She also competed in the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, winning a silver in the 110-220-110 yards relay (with Jeanette Dolson and the non-Olympian Barbara Howard), bronze in the 220-110-220-110 yards relay (with Jeanette Dolson and the non-Olympians Barbara Howard and Violet Montgomery), and placing fourth in the 220 yards. She was the Canadian National Champion in the 100yd in 1935, and 220yd in 1933 and 1935. Meagher was chosen for the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics but had to withdraw due to injuries.

The 1938 British Empire Games were her last competition and she then began a distinguished career as an artist, later winning the Nova Scotia Society of Artists’ prize for watercolor in 1950, and had many art exhibitions. She was also employed as a teacher in Halifax elementary schools from 1935-69. Meagher received the 1935 Velma Springstead Trophy as the Most Outstanding Canadian Female Athlete and the Norton Crowe Award as the Most Outstanding Canadian Athlete. She has been inducted into the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame and the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame.

Personal Best: 100 – 12.2 (1936).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1932 Summer Olympics Athletics CAN Aileen Meagher
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) Canada DNS
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics CAN Aileen Meagher
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 5 h1 r2/3
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) Canada 3 Bronze

Special Notes