# Ethel Catherwood

> Canadian track and field athlete

**Wikidata**: [Q235688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235688)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Catherwood)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ethel-catherwood

## Summary
Ethel Catherwood was a Canadian track and field athlete who competed in the 1928 Summer Olympics. She won a gold medal in the high jump, becoming one of Canada's most celebrated Olympic champions of the early 20th century.

## Biography
- Born: April 28, 1908
- Nationality: Canadian
- Education: Attended University of Toronto (University of Toronto)
- Known for: Olympic gold medalist in high jump (1928)
- Employer(s): Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (inductee)
- Field(s): Athletics (track and field), high jump

## Contributions
Ethel Catherwood's primary contribution was her athletic achievement at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where she won the gold medal in the women's high jump event. This victory made her one of the "Matchless Six" Canadian women who collectively won all of Canada's medals at those Games. Her Olympic success helped establish Canada as a competitive force in international track and field and inspired future generations of Canadian female athletes.

## FAQs
What Olympic event did Ethel Catherwood compete in?
Ethel Catherwood competed in the high jump event at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, where she won the gold medal.

What is Ethel Catherwood's connection to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame?
Ethel Catherwood was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame for her Olympic achievements and contributions to Canadian athletics.

What was Ethel Catherwood's role in the "Matchless Six"?
Ethel Catherwood was one of the "Matchless Six" Canadian women who collectively won all of Canada's medals at the 1928 Summer Olympics, with her gold medal in high jump being a key part of that achievement.

## Why They Matter
Ethel Catherwood matters because she was a pioneering Canadian female athlete who achieved international success at a time when women's participation in the Olympics was still relatively new. Her gold medal in the 1928 high jump not only brought Canada its first Olympic gold in track and field but also helped pave the way for greater recognition of women's athletics in Canada and internationally. As part of the "Matchless Six," she became a national sports icon and her legacy continues to inspire Canadian athletes today.

## Notable For
- Winning gold medal in high jump at the 1928 Summer Olympics
- Being one of the "Matchless Six" Canadian Olympic champions
- First Canadian woman to win Olympic gold in track and field
- Induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
- Representing Canada in international athletics during the 1920s

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ethel Hannah Catherwood was born on April 28, 1908, in Hannah, North Dakota, United States, though she grew up in Canada. She attended the University of Toronto, where she developed her athletic abilities and began competing in track and field events.

### Olympic Career
Catherwood's most significant athletic achievement came at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, Netherlands. She competed in the women's high jump event, which was making its Olympic debut for women that year. Catherwood cleared 1.59 meters to win the gold medal, setting an Olympic record in the process. Her victory was part of Canada's most successful Olympic performance to that date, with Canadian women winning all five of the country's medals in Amsterdam.

### The "Matchless Six"
Catherwood was one of six Canadian women who became known as the "Matchless Six" after their collective success at the 1928 Olympics. The group included Fanny Rosenfeld, Ethel Smith, Myrtle Cook, Florence Bell, and Jane Bell, along with Catherwood. Together, they won all of Canada's medals at those Games - two gold, a silver, and two bronze - establishing Canada as a competitive force in women's athletics.

### Post-Olympic Recognition
Following her Olympic success, Catherwood was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame, recognizing her contributions to Canadian sports and her role as a pioneering female athlete. Her Olympic victory and the success of the "Matchless Six" helped increase public interest in women's sports in Canada and contributed to the growth of track and field programs across the country.

### Physical Attributes
Standing at 1.78 meters (5 feet 10 inches) tall and weighing 58 kilograms (128 pounds), Catherwood's physical stature was well-suited to the high jump event. Her height and athletic build gave her advantages in the technical aspects of the high jump, contributing to her Olympic success.

### Legacy
Ethel Catherwood's Olympic gold medal represented a significant milestone in Canadian sports history. As the first Canadian woman to win Olympic gold in track and field, she broke barriers and set a precedent for future generations of Canadian female athletes. Her success at the 1928 Olympics helped establish Canada's reputation in international athletics and contributed to the growing recognition of women's sports during the early 20th century.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013