Australians to wear armbands for Cuthbert

Australian athletes at the world championships in London will wear black armbands to honour the late Betty Cuthbert.

Betty Cuthbert

The passing of Betty Cuthbert was marked by a minute's silence at the world athletic championships. (AAP)

Australian athletes will wear black armbands for the remaining seven days of competition at the world championships in London as a mark of respect to the late Betty Cuthbert.

The IAAF agreed to the request from Athletics Australia on Monday.

It will be up to individual athletes whether or not they wear the armbands, although the vast majority are expected to do so.

Lauren Wells was the first to don the armband in the opening round of the 400m hurdles on Monday night.

There was a minute's silence before the start of competition at the London Olympic Stadium to further honour Cuthbert, the only Australian among the 10 inaugural inductees to the IAAF Hall of Fame in 2012.

Olympic and world 100m hurdles champion Sally Pearson - who is among Australia's leading medal hopes in London - paid tribute to Australia's original "golden girl".

"I am so sad to hear of the passing of Betty Cuthbert," she tweeted.

"She was as a giant in our sport and someone I always admired."

A day after finishing an impressive ninth in the women's marathon, Jess Trengove issued a tribute on behalf of the 62-strong Australian team.

"Betty was a legend of the sport and Team Australia extends our sympathies to her family and friends at this difficult time," said Trengove in a statement.

"You can be sure that the green and gold will be doing all that they can to honour her legacy here in London.

"She was one of the best we've ever seen compete for Australia and she inspires athletes to this day when they put on the national uniform."

Four-time Olympic sprint champion Cuthbert died overnight in Australia aged 79 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.


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Source: AAP



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