Halberg a ‘true champion’
Olympian went on to create foundation to support children with disabilities into sport
Sir Murray Halberg, one of New Zealand’s greatest ever athletes, has died. Halberg passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 89. Halberg was best known for winning the 5000m gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in Rome, while he also won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1958 and 1962 in the threemile race.
He also became the first Kiwi to break the four-minute mile.
In the 1961 New Year Honours, Halberg was appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to athletics.
He ran until the Tokyo Olympics in 1964, where he finished seventh in the 10,000m final.
After his sporting career, Halberg set up the Halberg Trust, which continues to support children with disabilities in sport under its new name the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation.
The Halberg Awards, New Zealand’s most prestigious sports awards, are named in his honour in recognition for his work in sport and children with disabilities.
He was knighted in 1988 for services to sport and disabled children, and was inducted into the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.
Halberg is a member of the Order of New Zealand — the list of the greatest 20 living Kiwis, alongside Richie McCaw, former Prime Ministers and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
In a statement following news of his death, Athletics New Zealand labelled Halberg “one of the most iconic names in New Zealand sport”.
“Sir Murray leaves a huge legacy after ushering in a golden age for the
sport of athletics in New Zealand.”
Athletics NZ CEO Pete Pfitzinger added: “Sir Murray was a fierce competitor who gave his all on the track and a true gentleman who served others throughout his life. He was a true champion in every respect and a great New Zealander.”
Halberg was born in Eketahuna and grew up in Auckland, where he played rugby and cricket.
He was badly injured while playing rugby when he was 17 and was left with a withered left arm, and had to teach himself to do everything, from writing to eating, with his right hand.
Halberg and his wife Phyllis had two children.
After a battle with cancer, he returned to good health and assisted the 2002 Commonwealth Games team in Manchester as a mentor for the athletes, a role he filled again at the 2004 Athens Olympics.