Mary Peters : My Story

‘I leaned over the edge to let anyone see and touch the medal that Northern Ireland had brought away from the Olympics. It wasn’t mine, it was ours.’

In September 1972, after years of hard work, sacrifice and dedication, Mary Peters won the gold medal for the pentathlon at the Munich Olympics. Her skill as an athlete could not be disputed, yet this was to mark only the beginning of her story. 

A beloved figure in her adopted home of Northern Ireland, Mary has spent decades promoting and encouraging its young sportspeople. From establishing its first high standard synthetic athletic track, to founding the Mary Peters Sports Trust, she has been a stalwart ambassador for sport and for Northern Ireland itself, and has received several royal honours in recognition of her services to sport and the community. 

Based on an extensive personal archive, including diaries dating back to Mary’s teenage years and personal correspondence, and with over 60 photographs, this is the definitive account of a truly remarkable woman.

The book includes a Foreword by Lord Sebastian Coe CH, KBE and endorsements from Dame Kelly Holmes, Carl Frampton, Joslyn Hoyte-Smith, Dame Katherine Grainger along with many others.

LADY MARY PETERS was born in Halewood, England, in 1939. At the age of eleven, she moved to Northern Ireland, and it was there that she discovered an aptitude for sports. Between 1958 and 1974, she represented Northern Ireland at every Commonwealth Games, winning two gold medals for the pentathlon, and a gold and a silver medal for the shot-put. In 1972, she won the gold medal for the pentathlon at the Munich Olympics and the same year won the award for BBC Sports Personality of the Year. She has since dedicated her energies to charitable work through the Mary Peters Track and her sports trust, the Mary Peters Trust, which funds talented young sportspeople. In 1973 she was awarded an MBE, and over the years has received a CBE, a DBE and a CH for her services to sport and the community in Northern Ireland. In 2009 she was named the Lord-Lieutenant of the City of Belfast, and she is also a Freeman of the Cities of Lisburn and Belfast. In 2017, she was made a Dame of the Order of Saint John (DStJ), and in 2019 was appointed as a Lady Companion of the Order of the Garter (LG).

ENDORSEMENTS:

‘A joyful trailblazer, Mary takes her place amongst those few special sporting stars who have achieved legendary status – both as an athlete and in her achievements since leaving the track.’
DAME KATHERINE GRAINGER DBE

‘I owe so much to Mary Peters. I was a beneficiary of one of her foundation’s grants, and for that, and for her continued support, I will always be grateful.’
CARL FRAMPTON MBE

‘Mary Peters is an inspiration. She has used her success to encourage and support so many people in reaching their potential, personally demonstrating how to overcome the disappointments and celebrate the achievements.’
JOSLYN HOYTE-SMITH OLY

‘An unparalleled influence in sport in Northern Ireland … and a role model and inspiration to so many people – including myself!’

HON. COL. DAME KELLY HOLMES MBE (MIL)

‘Mary has had such a positive impact on sport in Northern Ireland and we are extremely grateful.’
Jason Smyth, Paralympic gold medallist, Runner

‘Mary has been a huge inspiration to myself and many other females across all sports. To win an Olympic gold medal is something special and is something that inspires me every day.’
Michaela Walsh, Commonwealth gold medallist, boxer

‘I just want to thank Mary Peters for her endless pursuit of supporting young athletes to reach their full potential in their sport, and for supporting me throughout my whole career. She doesn’t just do it for me, she does it for hundreds of athletes across the country.’

Rhys McClenaghan, Commonwealth gold medallist, gymnast

‘Fifty years ago Mary Peters returned to NI as an Olympic Champion and from then she has gone on to build a legacy; a legacy of inspiring and supporting young people to achieve their hopes and dreams.  My own little piece of history at the London 2012 Olympic Games is in no small part due to that support that I received early on in my career.’
Alan Campbell, Olympic silver medallist, rower

‘Mary Peters began funding me quite a few years ago to go on training camps and to get new sports equipment, which there is a lot of when you are a multi eventer. She is such an inspiration and I hope to try and follow in her footsteps in the future.’
Kate O’Connor, Commonwealth silver medallist, heptathlete

‘Mary paved the way for future generations of girls and young women in sport. She showed me what a little girl from our part of the world can do. Mary has inspired athletes from all sports and from all parts of Northern Ireland. Her legacy spreads much further than her sporting prowess: she is always there with a kind word and a smile. She has been an inspiration to me to be a better athlete on the track but also a better person throughout my life. A true legend both in sport and out.’
Ciara Mageean, Commonwealth silver medallist, runner

‘Mary Peters is an absolute inspiration to us all. I and many other athletes all across the country are inspired by her success.’
Aidan Walsh, Olympic bronze medallist, boxer

‘I wouldn’t be half the athlete or gone to half the competitions to represent this incredible nation without her support or the inspiration that she has given me. If I can be half the woman and half the athlete that she is, I know I’ll be doing something right.’
Danielle Hill, Irish International Swimmer

‘Lady Mary has done so much for me over the years, not only from the support I received from the Mary Peters Trust, but from the legacy that Lady Mary has left behind in sport. It is amazing that someone from a country so small can do something so big.’
Ewan McAteer, Northern Irish International Gymnast

‘Thank you so much for supporting me on my athletic career so far and taking my dream to professional level.’
Hannah Scott, GB Women’s Rowing Squad

About the Publisher 

Blackstaff Press is regarded as one of Ireland’s foremost publishers. Its publishing programme is wide-ranging and diverse and embraces both fiction and non-fiction. They have published over 1000 titles since being founded in 1971, covering a range of subjects including history, politics, cookery, memoir, sport, fiction, poetry and travel.