Sheila Taylor-Carey

As an 18-year-old, Sheila Taylor represented the Midlands in the 1964 National Cross-country Championships. The following year she won the first of five senior Midlands titles when she won the half-mile. A member of Coventry Godiva Harriers, Taylor went to the 1968 Mexico Olympics and finished just outside the medals in the 800 metres, finishing fourth behind the American winner Madeline Manning. After the Games, Taylor married fellow Coventry Godiva athlete Peter Carey. Their wedding day coincided with a reception for members of the British team by the Prime Minister, which she was forced to miss.

Carey won her first WAAA title in 1969 when she won the 1500 indoor title and the following year captured her only WAAA outdoor title, the 800 metres. She went to her second Olympics at München (Munich) in 1972 and finished fifth in the 1500. Carey also went to two Commonwealth Games and finished last of eight at Edinburgh in 1970 after tripping on the back straight of the first lap in the 800 metres. Four years later at Edmonton, Canada, she was eliminated in fifth place in her 800 heat.

At the 1970 British Games at Edinburgh, Carey, along with Rosemary Stirling, Pat Lowe, and Lillian Board, set a new world record of 2:27.0 for the 4x800 metres relay. It was Board’s penultimate race before dying six months later. A couple of months after the Edinburgh record, Carey was in the squad that lowered the record to 2:25.0 at Crystal Palace, with Georgena Craig taking Board’s place.

Carey retired from competitive athletics after the 1974 Commonwealth Games. A former clerical assistant in the Civil Service, she later worked at a Coventry school, working with children with impaired vision and other disabilities. She helped them develop their sporting talents, and for her dedication to this she was awarded the MBE in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list. She also worked as a coach to the British Blind Sport athletics team.

Personal Bests: 800 – 2:02.9 (1971); 1500 – 4:04.81 (1972).