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Debra Marcus

Debra Marcus is a British-born Israeli sprinter who won a gold medal in the 200 metres at the 1966 Asian Games in Bangkok.

born 19411966 Asian Games 200 metres goldMaccabiah sprint gold medalsLighting the 1965 Maccabiah torch

Occupation: athletics competitor

Debra Marcus was born in 1941 in London

Debra Marcus was born in England in 1941 as Debra Turner and grew up in London. She took the name Marcus after her marriage in 1966. In 1959 she fell ill with polio for about 2 years.

She competed for Britain at the 1957 Maccabiah, winning gold in the 100 metres and the long jump. At the 1961 Maccabiah she won gold in the 100 metres and the 4x100 metres relay, and silver in the 200 metres. She later settled in Israel and worked as a physical education teacher, including at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and also with disabled children.

She lit the torch at the opening ceremony of the 1965 Maccabiah. In 1966 she won the 100 and 200 metres at the Israeli championships. At the Asian Games in Bangkok that December she won gold in the 200 metres and bronze in the 100 metres.

She was named Israeli Sportswoman of the Year. She later wrote books on athletics published by the Wingate Institute in 1977 and 1985.