Martha Rae Watson

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameMartha Rae•Watson
Used nameMartha Rae•Watson
Born19 August 1946 in Long Beach, California (USA)
Measurements164 cm / 57 kg
AffiliationsLakewood International, Lakewood (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Primarily a long jumper, Martha Watson had a very long international career for the United States, beginning in 1964 and ending in 1979, when she competed against the Soviet Union in a dual meet. Watson competed at two Pan American Games, in 1967 and 1975, after finishing fourth in 1967 - winning a silver medal in the long jump in 1975, and a gold medal that year with the 4×100 metres relay (with Pam Jiles, Brenda Morehead, and Chandra Cheeseborough). She won the Olympic Trials long jump in both 1968 and 1972, and won eight national championships, three outdoors in 1973-75, and five indoors, in 1967, 1972, and 1974-76. Watson later settled in Las Vegas where she became a blackjack dealer. She is a member of the US Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 100 – 11.3 (1971); 200 – 24.7 (1973); LJ – 21-7¼ (6.58) (1973).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1964 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Martha Rae Watson
Long Jump, Women (Olympic) 18 r1/2
1968 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Martha Rae Watson
Long Jump, Women (Olympic) 10
1972 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Martha Rae Watson
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 4
Long Jump, Women (Olympic) 23 r1/2
1976 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Martha Rae Watson
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 7
Long Jump, Women (Olympic) 25 r1/2

Special Notes