Valerie Young

Who is Valerie Young?

Valerie Isobel Margaret Young, OBE, is a retired athlete from New Zealand, who won seven medals in the Shot Put and Discus events at the Commonwealth Games.

She competed at the 1958, 1962, 1966 and 1974 Commonwealth Games where she won her medals. She retired after the 1966 games to have a family, but when the 1974 games were allocated to Christchurch went back into training. She also competed in the 1956, 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, and went to the 1976 and 1984 games as an official.

She has won the most gold medals of any New Zealand competitor at the Commonwealth Games.

In the 1987 New Year Honours, Young was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to athletics.