As our Australian Olympians prepare to head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics, we are celebrating our own gold medal!
Renowned Western Australian sportsman and Olympic gold medallist John Winter was one of only two Australians to win a gold medal at the 1948 London Olympic Games.
Thanks to the generosity of his family, this Olympic medal is now on display at WA Museum Boola Bardip for all visitors to see up close.
John Winter, born in Subiaco, began his journey to greatness as a teenager at Scotch College, showing promise in high jump. At the age of 15, he cleared 1.85 meters, securing victory in the open-age event.
Following active duty in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, Winter lived and worked in London for a period before returning to Australia. He won the national title in 1947 and 1948, before being chosen in the Olympic team.
In the Olympic high jump final at Wembley Stadium, Winter cleared 1.98m on his first attempt and then watched as more favoured American competitors failed to clear this height in the wet and rowdy conditions.
John Winter’s sons Peter and Chris have donated this significant piece of Western Australian history to the WA Museum to ensure it remains available for future generations. Peter Winter said he and Chris had wanted the medal to remain available in the State, safe and cared for along with other items including the shoes. "We wanted it to be part of a long-standing State collection," Peter Winter said.
The medal is an important addition to the existing John Winter collection of sporting uniforms, photographs and RAAF records. Installing the medal in the Reflections Gallery will enable Western Australians to enjoy this significant part of the museum’s collection.
WA Museum acting chief executive Jason Fair said it was always an honour when individuals and their families entrusted objects into the museum's care. "We are grateful to John's sons Peter and Chris for donating this significant piece of Western Australian history to the WA Museum, it is likely the closest many people will ever come to seeing an Olympic gold medal. "It is a timely addition to the collection with the 2024 Paris Olympics just around the corner."
