Viola Myers

Viola Myers took up track and field athletics in the early 1940s and set her first Canadian record, in the now-discontinued 80 metres, in 1944. She also began competing at the United States AAU Championships that year and, throughout the 1940s, she earned several podium finishes, most notably her victory in the 4x110 yards in 1946. Her best year, however, was 1948, when she set a Canadian record in the 60 metres (which would last until 1973) and was selected to represent her nation at the 1948 Summer Olympics. There she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 100 metre relay alongside Diane Foster, Pat Jones, and Nancy MacKay and finished fourth in the 100 metres. She placed third in the voting for the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award that year, given annually to Canada’s top female athlete, behind winter Olympians Barbara Ann Scott and Rhoda and Rhona Wurtele. She had also been in contention for that year’s Lou Marsh Trophy, Canada’s annual recognition of its top athlete of either sex. She did win the Velma Springstead Trophy, however, Canada’s other major award for its top female athlete.

Myers was fourth in the Canadian year lists for the 100 yards in 1947 and 1948, and led the list for the 100 metres in 1949. Her last major international tournament was the 1950 British Empire Games, where she was eliminated in the heats of the 100 and 220 yard dashes. She retired from active competition shortly after and was inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame in 2011. Among her nephews are former National Hockey League players Doug and Murray Wilson. Her last major international tournament was the 1950 British Empire Games, where she was eliminated in the heats of the 100 and 220 yard dashes. She retired from active competition shortly after and was inducted into the Athletics Ontario Hall of Fame in 2011. Among her nephews are former National Hockey League players Doug and Murray Wilson.

Personal Best: 100 – 12.2 (1948).