Joy Grieveson

The daughter of a Darlington Butcher, Joy Grieveson joined Darlington Harriers at the age of 14. Initially a hurdler, she made her Great Britain international début five years later as a 400 metres runner. Having won Durham, Northumberland, and Northern Counties titles, wages clerk Grieveson went to the WAAA Championships and in the six years between 1961-66 enjoyed a podium finish each year in the 440 yards, winning the title in 1963 and 1965, and finishing second to Ann Packer in 1964.

Grieveson won the 400 metres silver medal at the 1962 European Championships at Beograd (Belgrade). It would be 32 years before another British woman won a European 400 metres medal, when Phylis Smith won at Helsinki in 1994. Grieveson was not initially selected for the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games at Perth, Australia, because there was no 440 yards event. She was later added to the squad for the 220, however, and as a reserve for the 880. She reached the 220 semi-final.

At the White City in 1963 Grieveson set a new UK 400 metres record, as her time of 53.12 also equalled the European record. Grieveson went to the 1964 Tokyo Olympics as one of the favourites for the 400 but injury prevented her progressing beyond the semi-finals. After appearing at her second Commonwealth Games at Kingston, Jamaica, in 1966, Grieveson announced her retirement from competitive athletics. She married Darlington FC footballer Stan Watson in the summer of 1967.

Personal Best: 400 – 53.12 (1963).