Myrtle Alice Cook (also competed asMyrtle McGowan) (January 5, 1902 – March 18, 1985) was a Canadianathlete and journalist, who won the gold medal in the women's 4 × 100 metres at the1928 Summer Olympics. Her column, "In the Women's Spotlight", appeared inthe Montreal Star for 40 years.
Cook contributed significantly to women's sports in Canada, helping to establish the Toronto Ladies Athletic Club, serving as director of athletics for the Canadian Ladies Athletic Club, and founding a branch of that club in Montreal.[1] During the Second World War, she was active in fundraising and assisted in training military recruits.[1]
Member of Canada's 4×100 metre relay team that won the gold medal at the 1928 Summer Olympics (Amsterdam), the first Olympic Games to include women's track and field events.[4]
Among the first Canadian women to compete in Olympic athletics following the International Olympic Committee's decision to admit women's track events in 1928.[5]
Began serving as a sports columnist with theMontreal Star in 1929, becoming one of Canada's first nationally prominent female sports journalists.[4]
Organized the Montréal Major Ladies' Softball League and the Montréal Major Ladies' Hockey League, and formed a Montréal branch of the Canadian Ladies' Athletic Club, serving as its athletic director.[4]
Served as president of the Dominion Women's Amateur Hockey Association, and resigned from the position in September 1937 after four years on the association's executive.[11]
During World War II, served as track coach for the Canadian Armed Services in the Montréal area.[4]
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