Anne Covell

Anne Covell was relatively unknown on the Canadian national track scene when she came in second in the 400 metres event, behind Joan Fisher, at the trials for the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, setting a national record of 55.0 in the heats. She was therefore selected to represent Canada at those Games, where she was eliminated in round one, but improved her time to 54.34, which remained a Canadian record for nearly a decade. She continued to compete at the national level for a few years, while studying education at the University of British Columbia, but the Olympics ended up being the peak of her international career. She later earned a master’s degree and worked in education, as well as in roles as a track coach, until her retirement in 2007.

Personal Best: 400 – 54.34 (1968).