Joan Helena Atkinson (born c.1943) is a former athlete from Northern Ireland, who represented Northern Ireland at the British Empire and Commmonwealth Games.

Joan Atkinson
Personal information
NationalityBritish (Northern Irish)
BornJoan Helena Atkinson
c.1943[1]
EducationMethodist College Belfast
Alma materQueen's University Belfast
ChildrenAndrew J. Stewart
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
Sprints
ClubQueen's University Belfast AC
Short and Harland AC
Medal record
Representing  Great Britain
Summer Universiade
Silver medal – second place1961 Sofia200m
Bronze medal – third place1961 Sofia100m

Education and early life

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Atkinson attended Methodist College Belfast[1] and was the 1959 Northern Ireland champion over both 110 yards and 220 yards.[2]

Atkinson then studied[clarification needed] at Queen's University Belfast.[when?]

Career

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Atkinson was a member of the Short and Harland Athletics Club in Belfast and held Irish records over both 100 and 220 yards in 1961.[3] She was also the British Universities champion.[4]

Initially listed as a reserve for the British Empire and Commonwealth Games, she was one of three athletes to be added to the Northern Irish team in September 1962.[5] She subsequently competed at the 1962 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Perth, Australia,[6][7] participating in the 100 and 220 yards events.[8][9]

References

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  1. 1 2 "Methody-girl puts her school first". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Belfast Telegraph. 3 May 1960. p. 12. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  2. "Joan Defends her titles". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Northern Whig. 18 June 1960. p. 6. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  3. "Queen's girl breaks 220 record". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Belfast News-Letter. 21 May 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  4. "Athletics". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Northern Whig. 29 May 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  5. "Millar, Johnston and Atkinson join Empire Games team for Perth". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Northern Whig. 26 September 1962. p. 8. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  6. "Empire Games - Ulster Shock". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Belfast News-Letter. 7 September 1962. p. 1. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  7. "Empire Games Selection". britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk. Belfast News-Letter. 7 September 1962. p. 12. Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  8. "Northern Ireland Perth 1962". thecgf.com. Commonwealth Games Federation. Archived from the original on 17 October 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. "The Games Village". trove.nla.gov.au. The Australian Women's Weekly. 28 November 1962.