Pages tagged with: violet walrond

Swimmers pose for a photo at the 1920 Antwerp Olympics, including New Zealand's first female Olympian, Violet Walrond.

The New Zealand Olympic team en route to Antwerp in 1920.

This programme cover for the 1920 Olympic Games at Antwerp, Belgium, was owned by Violet Walrond, our first female Olympian.

Several New Zealand athletes competed – and won medals – as part of ‘Australasian' teams at the 1908 and 1912 Olympics. But this country's first official team made its debut at Antwerp in 1920.

Violet Walrond was New Zealand's first female Olympian. She was only 14 when selected and 15 when she swam at the 1920 Antwerp Games. Standing 1.6-metres tall, she weighed just 48.5 kg.