Shirley Ascott Explained

Shirley Ascott (10 December 1930  - 29 December 1995) was a British canoe sprinter who competed in the early 1950s. She competed in the K-1 500 m event at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, but was eliminated in the heats.

Biography

Ascott was from Hounslow, Middlesex. During the Second World War, she was evacuated, and studied at Fleetwood Grammar School.[1] She worked in an aircraft factory, and started canoeing in 1950.[1] In 1952, Ascott was one of two British women who attempted to qualify for the 1952 Summer Olympics;[2] after winning the trial event, she was selected for the Games.[1] At the Games, she was eliminated in the heats.[3]

Notes and References

  1. News: Women Canoeists. The Guardian. Newspapers.com. 23 June 1952. 3. 27 August 2021.
  2. News: She hopes to paddle for Britain. Evening Standard. London. Newspapers.com. 12 April 1952. 7. 27 August 2021.
  3. Shirley Ascott Olympic Results . https://web.archive.org/web/20200418041041/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/as/shirley-ascott-1.html . dead . 18 April 2020 . 20 June 2021.