Bertha Crowther

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Bertha Crowther

| birth_name =

| image =

| caption =

| nationality = British (English)

| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|12|9|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Hendon, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|2007|8|8|1921|12|9|df=yes}}

| death_place = Cheshire, England

| height =174 cm

| weight =63 kg

| sport = Track and field

| event = 80 metres hurdles / high jump

| club = Middlesex LAC

| medaltemplates =

{{MedalCountry | {{ENG}} }}

{{MedalCountry|{{GBR2}}}}

}}

Bertha Crowther (9 December 1921 – 8 August 2007) was a British athlete{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19197151|title='My mum competed in the 1948 Olympics'|publisher=BBC}} who competed at the 1948 Summer Olympics.{{cite Sports-Reference |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cr/bertha-crowther-1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418035832/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/cr/bertha-crowther-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2020 |title=Bertha Crowther Olympic Results |access-date=16 September 2017}}{{cite web|url=https://www.playingpasts.co.uk/articles/gender-and-sport/in-leaps-and-bounds-bertha-crowther-gbs-first-pentathlon-champion/ |title=In Leaps and Bounds Bertha Crowther: GB's First Pentathlon Champion |work=Playing Pasts |access-date=9 May 2022}}

Biography

Crowther became the national 80 metres hurdles champion after winning the British WAAA Championships title at the 1946 WAAA Championships. She also finished third behind Dora Gardner in the high jump event.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000669/19460715/054/0003 |title=Women's Titles Change Hands |work=Birmingham Daily Gazette |date=15 July 1946 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=26 January 2025 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.nuts.org.uk/Champs/AAA/index.htm |title=AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists |website=National Union of Track Statisticians |access-date=26 January 2025 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/waaa.htm |title=AAA Championships (women) |website=GBR Athletics |access-date=26 January 2025 }}

Crowther finished second behind Dorothy Tyler in the high jump event and third behind Maureen Gardner in the 80 metres hurdles event at the 1948 WAAA Championships.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0003359/19480627/096/0006 |title=Mrs Jordan keeps title |work=Weekly Dispatch (London) |date=27 June 1948 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription | access-date=2 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nuts.org.uk/Champs/AAA/index.htm |title=AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists |website=National Union of Track Statisticians |access-date=2 February 2025}}

Shortly afterwards, representing Great Britain at the 1948 Olympic Games in London, she competed in the women's 80 metres hurdles competition.{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/68637 |title=Biographical Information |website=Olympedia |access-date=26 January 2025}}

Crowther showcased her all round ability by becoming the inaugural national pentathlon champion at the 1949 WAAA Championships.{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0004941/19490710/354/0010 |title=Girl clips shot record on her honeymoon |work=Sunday Express |date=10 July 1949 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 February 2025 }}{{cite news |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000560/19490711/124/0011 |title=June 15 wins a record birthday gift |work=Daily Mirror |date=11 July 1949 |via=British Newspaper Archive |url-access=subscription |access-date=14 February 2025 }} She successfully retained her title the following year at the 1950 WAAA Championships.{{cite web|url=http://www.gbrathletics.com/bc/waaa.htm |title=AAA Championships (women) |website=GBR Athletics |access-date=2 February 2025 }}

She represented England and won a silver medal in the high jump at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, New Zealand. She also competed in the javelin, long jump and 80 metres hurdles.{{cite web|url=https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/40956|title=Athletes and results|publisher=Commonwealth Games Federation|access-date=18 July 2019|archive-date=6 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106055206/https://thecgf.com/results/athletes/40956|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://teamengland.org/commonwealth-games-history/auckland-1950/athletes|title=1950 Athletes|publisher=Team England}}