Valerie Young
Valerie Isobel Marie Young is a former athlete from New Zealand. She competed at the 1958, 1962, 1966, and 1974 Commonwealth Games, and won seven medals in the shot put and discus throw. She retired after the 1966 games to have a family, but went back into training when the 1974 games were allocated to Christchurch. She also competed at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Summer Olympics, and went to the 1976 and 1984 games as an official. She placed fourth in the shot put in 1960 and 1964, and fifth in 1956.
Young won the most gold medals of any New Zealand competitor at the Commonwealth Games. At the national level, she has won more New Zealand titles, 37, than any other athlete, including 18 in the discus and 17 in the shot put. She also won the pentathlon title twice, in 1958 and 1963.
In the 1987 New Year Honours, Young was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, for services to athletics.
