Corrie Gardner

Australian sportsman Corrie Gardner competed in track and field and Australian rules football in the late 1890s and early 1900s. At the 1899–00 national championships Gardner became the Australian champion in the 120 yards hurdles and runner-up in the long jump. He was the Australasia champion in the hurdles in 1903 and the runner-up in 1904, earning him a place on the Olympic team for the 1904 St. Louis Games. When he arrived at the Olympics he discovered there was no accommodation arrangements and thus he spent his stay in a tent community in a nearby park. Gardner competed in the 110 metres hurdles and the long jump, along with two non-medal hurdles events.

Gardner began his Australian rules football career in 1898 with Essendon Football Club where he was noted for his pace and running skills on the wing. He played in 12 matches in the Victorian Football League (VFL) before joining Melbourne Football Club in 1900. That same season he won the VFL grand final with Melbourne with victory over Fitzroy Football Club. He played with Melbourne through to 1903 before missing the 1904 season to attend the Olympics. Gardner returned to play one more season with Melbourne in 1905, finishing his career with 48 games for the side.

Personal Bests: 110H – 16.0 (1901); LJ – 6.63 (1999).