Marlene Ahrens

Marlene Ahrens won a silver medal in the 1956 javelin throw, becoming the first Chilean woman to win an Olympic medal and, through 2020, the only one. She was also twice a gold medalist at the Pan American Games, winning the javelin the 1959 and 1963. She won the javelin title four times consecutively at the South American Games, in 1956, 1958, 1961, and 1963, and also won the javelin at the 1962 Ibero-American Games. Ahrens carried the Chilean flag at both the 1956 and 1960 Olympic Opening Ceremonies.

Born in Concépcion, Ahrens was the daughter of German immigrants. After Ahrens stopped competing in athletics, she took up tennis and in 1967 won the Chilean mixed doubles national title alongside Omar Pabst. She then turned to her real passion, which was horse riding. Ahrens eventually made another Pan American Games appearance, in 1995 in team dressage at the age of 62.

Personal Best: JT – 50.38 (1956).