‘A true champion and a great New Zealander’
Olympic icon Murray Halberg dies but vision will live on
Sir Murray Halberg, one of New Zealand’s greatest ever athletes, has died. He was 89. Halberg, who died on Wednesday evening, 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 three miles race.
He also became the first Kiwi to break the four-minute mile.
In the 1961 New Year Honours, Halberg was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) 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 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.
Murray Halberg 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 rugby great Richie McCaw, former Prime Ministers and world-renowned soprano 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 chief executive 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. He 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.
Halberg Foundation chief executive Tom Smith said Halberg made an enormous contribution to New Zealand.
“The Halberg team past and present will greatly miss Sir Murray and the inspiration he gave to each and every one of us. Sir Murray was truly dedicated to creating an inclusive New Zealand,” Smith said.
“Sir Murray leaves an amazing legacy. The Halberg Foundation will continue to strive to ensure that all New Zealanders — regardless of physical ability — can reap the many benefits of being active.”
The Halberg Foundation said it was well positioned to continue fulfilling Halberg’s vision with the support of Governor-General Dame Cindy Kiro as patron, the Halberg staff, directors and trustees, alongside the support of generous individuals and organisations.
Halberg Foundation chairwoman Carolyn Steele said Halberg was always focused on the benefits of sport.
“Sir Murray would often reflect on the benefits he gained being involved in sport. It is a credit to him that he enabled others to experience those same benefits, through his charity over the past 59 years.
“Sir Murray was an incredible man who achieved much in his lifetime. The impact of his foundation will continue for many years to come. Our thoughts are with Lady Phyllis and his family.”
Minister of Sport and Recreation Grant Robertson said Halberg was a “legend”.
“Sir Murray was an extraordinary athlete,” Robertson said in a statement. “His gold medal in the 5000m at the Rome Olympic Games in 1960 has been immortalised as part of New Zealand’s golden afternoon at the Games, with Peter Snell winning the 800 metres.
“In its own right, Sir Murray’s win was very special, driven to win by exceptional fitness and dogged determination. His Olympic victory was complemented by success at Empire and Commonwealth Games in 1958 and 1962.
“In 1961 he set world records over the two- and three-mile distances. He was also the first New Zealander to run a subfour-minute mile.
“He was truly a legend of New Zealand athletics, but his contribution has been so much more than that. In 1963 he established the Halberg Trust to support children with disabilities in sport and recreation. Through the trust Sir Murray has changed the lives of generations of New Zealanders. The sheer joy that we witness each year at the Halberg Games is vindication of his vision.
“The fact that our Sportsperson of the Year Awards are simply known as the Halbergs is a fitting legacy to his work and that of the Halberg Foundation.
“As a country we have so much to be thankful for from Sir Murray’s life. He was one of our best, a member of the Order of New Zealand, a humble man of compassion and vision.
“My condolences go to his family and friends, and to all those who were touched by his work. Rest in Peace, Sir Murray.”
NZOC president Liz Dawson said Halberg’s achievements on and off the field of play will go down in history.
“No one ever exemplified the Olympic spirit of triumphing over adversity better than Sir Murray Halberg,” said Dawson.
“Sir Murray is one of our greatest ever Olympians and has left an enduring legacy. He won the 5000m gold medal at the Rome 1960 Olympic Games, as part of the the Golden Hour — one of the most important events in New Zealand sporting history. He was also a two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
“But Sir Murray was more than just an inspiration on the field of play. Following his sporting career he used his platform to help those less fortunate.”