Marina's Story
Broken Hill gymnast Marina Campbell, who competed under her maiden name Marina Sulicich, began gymnastics classes at the local YMCA while at primary school. Coached by Ollie Maywald, she progressed through state and national competition before representing Australia at the 1978 World Championships aged 14.
Campbell earned selection for the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games and competed there aged 16. Facing many of the era’s leading gymnasts, she advanced from the qualification rounds to the women’s individual all-around final.
Campbell became the first Australian gymnast to reach an Olympic individual all-around final. She recorded 69.700 points to finish 32nd overall, while also competing across the vault, uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise during qualification.
