Yvonne Margaret Danson was born on 22 May 1959 in London, United Kingdom. She is a former elite road running athlete known for her contributions to long-distance running in Singapore. Danson later became a Singaporean citizen, which allowed her to compete for her adopted country in various international events.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Yvonne Danson began her athletic journey relatively late, only taking up competitive running at the age of 31. Her initial forays into running quickly revealed her talent, particularly in long-distance events. As she honed her skills, Danson quickly climbed the ranks, demonstrating remarkable potential and determination.

Personal Information

• Full Name: Yvonne Margaret Danson
• Date of Birth: 22 May 1959
• Place of Birth: London, United Kingdom
• Citizenship: Singaporean
• Sport: Athletics (Road Running)
• National Teams Represented: England, Singapore
• Notable Achievements:
  • Bronze medalist at the 1994 Commonwealth Games
  • Silver medalist at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games
  • National record holder for marathon, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters in Singapore

Transition to Singapore

In the early 1990s, Yvonne moved to Singapore and embraced the local culture. Understanding the opportunity to represent Singapore in international competitions, she applied for citizenship. Her application was granted in 1995, and she soon began making waves in the athletics scene, eager to showcase her skills on a larger stage.

Major Achievements

• Commonwealth Games 1994: Danson represented England at the Commonwealth Games held in Victoria, Canada, where she achieved significant success, winning the bronze medal in the women’s marathon with a time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 24 seconds.
• Southeast Asian Games 1995: Competing for Singapore, she claimed silver in the marathon, finishing with a time of 2 hours, 34 minutes, and 41 seconds, which remains the Singapore national record. Additionally, she won bronze in the 10,000 meters, clocking in at 36 minutes and 27 seconds, further establishing her prowess in long-distance events.
• Olympic Games 1996: Danson represented Singapore at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, where she finished in 38th place out of 86 competitors in the women’s marathon. Her time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 18 seconds was commendable given the competitive field.

National Records

Yvonne Danson holds several national records in Singapore:

• Marathon: 2:34:41 (set at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games).
• 10,000 meters: 36:27.39 (also set at the 1995 Southeast Asian Games).
• 5,000 meters: 17:35.3 (achieved in Singapore in 1997).

Her 5,000-meter record stood as a benchmark for Singaporean athletes for 27 years until it was recently surpassed.

Notable Competitions

Throughout her career, Yvonne Danson has participated in numerous prestigious competitions, including:

• 1994 Commonwealth Games: Secured a bronze medal in the marathon while representing England.
• 1995 Southeast Asian Games: Achieved significant success in both the marathon and 10,000 meters, setting national records.
• 1996 Olympic Games: Competed in the marathon, showcasing her ability on the world stage despite not finishing in the top ranks.

Retirement and Legacy

After a successful career filled with national and regional accolades, Yvonne Danson eventually retired from competitive athletics. She is recognized as Singapore’s first female Olympic marathon runner, a trailblazer who opened doors for future generations of athletes. Her achievements have inspired many young athletes in Singapore, demonstrating that dedication and perseverance can lead to success in athletics.

Danson remains actively involved in the sporting community, offering mentorship and support to aspiring runners, thus continuing her legacy of excellence in Singaporean athletics.

Conclusion

Yvonne Danson’s journey from a late starter in athletics to an accomplished marathon runner reflects her unwavering commitment to the sport. Her national records and Olympic participation have solidified her place in Singapore’s athletic history, making her a true icon in the world of long-distance running.