Olympic Athlete and Medalist. She was born Donna Maria Louise Murray and is remembered firstly as the south of England sprint champion, winning the Amateur Athletics Association 200 metres in 1972, the 400 meters in 1975 and becoming the U.K. 400 meters champion in 1977. In 1978, she won two Commonwealth Games gold medals in Edmonton, Canada, for the 400 metres and the 4x400 relay. In 1979 she was European cup semi-finalist winner in both 400, and 400 relay again. She was also runner up in European cup finals in 1975, and 1977 in 400, and 400 relay again. In 1980, she competed at the Moscow Olympic Games where she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 relay. After retiring from athletics, she married Robert Wass, better known as comedian and actor Bobby Knutt. As Donna Hartley-Wass, she became well-known for several years on the UK women's body building circuit, winning the National Amateur Body Building Association's "Miss Britain Physique" trophy in 1988. Her bodybuilding career was short-lived and for several years after that she ran a Line Dancing School in Sheffield. She died while sunbathing in her back garden at the age of 58.
Olympic Athlete and Medalist. She was born Donna Maria Louise Murray and is remembered firstly as the south of England sprint champion, winning the Amateur Athletics Association 200 metres in 1972, the 400 meters in 1975 and becoming the U.K. 400 meters champion in 1977. In 1978, she won two Commonwealth Games gold medals in Edmonton, Canada, for the 400 metres and the 4x400 relay. In 1979 she was European cup semi-finalist winner in both 400, and 400 relay again. She was also runner up in European cup finals in 1975, and 1977 in 400, and 400 relay again. In 1980, she competed at the Moscow Olympic Games where she won a bronze medal in the 4 x 400 relay. After retiring from athletics, she married Robert Wass, better known as comedian and actor Bobby Knutt. As Donna Hartley-Wass, she became well-known for several years on the UK women's body building circuit, winning the National Amateur Body Building Association's "Miss Britain Physique" trophy in 1988. Her bodybuilding career was short-lived and for several years after that she ran a Line Dancing School in Sheffield. She died while sunbathing in her back garden at the age of 58.
Bio by: Stephen Farnell
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