Thelma Hopkins, a pioneering athlete and former high jump world record holder, has died at the age of 88 in Edmonton, Canada, on 10 January.
Renowned for her achievements across multiple sports, Hopkins leaves behind a legacy as one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic athletes.
Born in Kingston upon Hull in 1936, Hopkins moved to Northern Ireland as a child, where she quickly displayed remarkable athletic talent.
At just 15, she claimed her first Northern Ireland senior titles in both the high jump and long jump in 1951.
By 1954, she had achieved international success, winning high jump gold and long jump silver at the Empire Games in Vancouver.
That same year, she represented Great Britain at the European Championships in Bern, securing the high jump title.
Hopkins cemented her place in history on 5 May 1956, breaking the high jump world record with a leap of 1.74m at the Cherryvale Playing Fields in Belfast.
Later that year, she won silver at the Melbourne Olympics as part of the Great Britain team, solidifying her status as one of the world’s top athletes.
In addition to her success in athletics, Hopkins excelled in other sports.
She earned 40 caps playing international hockey for Ireland and represented the country in squash.
Her hockey teammates included Maeve Kyle, who also went on to achieve great success in athletics.
Hopkins’ influence endured long after her competitive years.
Her Northern Ireland long jump record of 6.11m, set in 1956, remained unbroken until 2013, reflecting her extraordinary talent and lasting impact on the sport.
Thelma Hopkins will be remembered not only for her remarkable achievements but also for inspiring generations of athletes across Northern Ireland and beyond.
