Olympian Ron Crawford dies aged 82
TRIBUTES have been paid to a three-time Olympian who died aged 82 this week. Ron Crawford OAM competed at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games and was a life member of Athletics Australia and Athletics NSW.
Southern Courier
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TRIBUTES have been paid to a three time Olympian who died aged 82 this week.
Ron Crawford OAM competed at the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games and was a life member of Athletics Australia and Athletics NSW.
The Pagewood man was also heavily involved in athletics at a local level and was president of Randwick Botany Harriers from 1991 to 2008 and director of Botany Bay Gift for many years.
Fellow Olympian John Cann, better known as the “Snake Man” of La Perouse, described Mr Crawford as a fantastic athlete and fantastic man.
“He was a great friend and a real gentleman,” Mr Cann said. “He knew a lot of people and remained involved in athletics. A real good man.”
Mr Crawford lived for much of his life in Randwick but moved to nearby Pagewood in the 1970s.
From his early years he loved sport and he would get his brothers to time him as he ran around the block.
He had his own long-jump pit, built his own high-jump stand and had a shot put area in the paddock next to his parents’ home.
At school he played cricket, soccer and rugby league. He counted down the days until he was 14 at which point he was allowed to join his local Randwick Kensington Athletics Club.
One of his main influences was his uncle Merv Wood, who won a gold medal in sculling at the London Olympics in 1948.
Mr Crawford tried his hand at a number of events including the 800m, 1500m and hammer throw before he settled on race walking.
He won or placed in more than 50 NSW and Australian championships and represented his country in the 20km and 50km events at three Olympics, Melbourne in 1956, Rome 1960 and Tokyo 1964.
One of the highlights of his Olympic career was the ceremony at the MCG in 1956 as he marched behind his uncle Merv who was the Australian team flag-bearer.
Following his career he became an athletics administrator. He was on the board of Athletics Australia for three years (1996-1999) and a director of Athletics NSW.
He was president of Randwick Botany Harriers form 1991 to 2008, president of the NSW Racewalking Club for 19 years and director of the Botany Bay Gift.
For more than 35 years he was involved in the annual City2Surf and the Sydney Half Marathon.
In 1999 he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia and the following year received the Australian Sports Medal.
Also in 2000 he was a torch bearer for the Sydney Olympics.
“He was a real gentleman. You just have to look at the comments people have been making on Facebook,” his widow Alison said.
“He was kind to everyone and would always help others.”
Tributes continue to come in for Mr Crawford, including from Athletics NSW.
“It is with great sadness that Athletics NSW reports the passing of Ron Crawford OAM,” a spokesman said.
“His contribution to the administration of athletics in NSW and Australia was enormous. RIP Ron.”
His funeral will be on Friday.
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