Pam Kilborn

Pamela Kilborn-Ryan, MBE (born August 12, 1939 in Melbourne) is a former Australian athlete who set world records as a hurdler. For three years, she was ranked as the world's top woman hurdler [http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/100hrankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News world rankings - 80/100 metre hurdles] ] .

Kilborn was also an Olympic class sprinter, Long Jumper and pentathlete, and won a total of 17 individal Australian Championships between 1962 and 1972 [http://www.athletics.com.au/history/athletes/athlete190.htm Athletics Australia - Pam Ryan] ] .

Early career

Pam Kilborn began competing in athletics in Melbourne during the late 1950s. She competed for the University High School team, under coach Henri Schubert alongside her good friend Judy Amoore (later Pollock) [http://www.geocities.com/geetee/bios/kilborn.html Athletics Gold - Pam Kilborn-Ryan] ] .

In 1960 she attempted to gain selection for the 1960 Summer Olympics but could only place third in the Australian Championships with only the first two athletes chosen. She was reputedly so ill during these Championships that she had to be assisted on the medal dais.

During 1961 her performances at both hurdles and long jump had improved substantially and she was ranked #4 and #10 [http://www.trackandfieldnews.com/rankings/women/ljrankingbynation.pdf Track & Field News world rankings - Long Jump] ] in the world, respectively, at the end of the year.

International career

At the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia, Kilborn became one of the stars of the Games, upsetting world-record holder Betty Moore in the 80 m hurdles race before winning the long jump contest ahead of two countrywomen Helen Frith (silver) and Janet Knee (bronze).

Two years later, at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, she won the bronze medal behind Karin Balzer (gold) and Teresa Ciepły (silver) after having equalled the Olympic record in the semi final.

Soon after the Games, on 5 October, 1964, she equalled the World Record for 80 m Hurdles, running 10.5 in Tokyo. On February 6, 1965 in Melbourne, she bettered her record with a 10.4 time [http://www.athletics.com.au/history/records/world_record_holders.htm Athletics Australia - list of Australian world record-holders] ] .

At the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica she won gold medals in 80 m hurdles and 4x110 yards relay.

In 1967 she broke Christine Perera's unofficial 100 m hurdles world record of 13.7 seconds and improved it twice up to 13.3 seconds in 1969.

Having been undefeated since the 1964 Olympics, Kilborn was the favourite for the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. At the Games she was hampered by a shoulder injury [ [http://www.sahof.org.au/hallOfFame/memberProfile/index.php?memberID=245&memberType=general Sports Australia Hall of Fame - Maureen Caird] ] and could not overcome her surprising teenage countrywoman Maureen Caird in the rain-affected final.

In 1970 the international hurdling distance was extended to 100 metres and, competing at the British Commonwealth Games, she beat Caird to take yet another gold medal. Her three successive golds was the most ever won by any athlete at the Commonwealth Games. Earlier in the Games she was chosen to carry the Australian standard in the Opening Ceremony; the first time a woman had been awarded this honour. [http://www.sahof.org.au/hallOfFame/memberProfile/index.php?memberID=200&memberType=athlete Sports Australia Hall of Fame profile - Pam Ryan] ]

After a brief retirement, she returned to the track for one last Olympic campaign in 1972. She set a World Record of 12.5 (12.93 automatic timing) shortly before the 1972 Olympics in Munich, but could only run fourth in the Olympic final.

tatistics

National Records
Kilborn set multiple Australian records in seven different events during her career: 80 metre hurdles, 100 metres hurdles, 200 metres hurdles, Long Jump, Pentathlon, 4 x 200 metres relay, and 4 x 220 yards relay.

World Records

Over 80 metres hurdles, Kilborn set two official world records in 1964 and 1965.

In the 100 metres hurdles, she set one official world record at Warsaw on 28 June, 1972.

At 200 m hurdles, Kilborn-Ryan set four official world records between 1969 and 1971, with a best of 25.7.

In team events, she set a world record for 4 x 220 yards relay of 1:35.8 in Brisbane on November 9, 1969, teaming with Raelene Boyle, Jenny Lamy and Marion Hoffman.

Personal Bests

References