Betty Cuthbert, a sprinter who won four gold medals and ranks among Australia's greatest Olympians, has died following a long battle with multiple sclerosis. She was 79.

Cuthbert was dubbed the "Golden Girl" in Australia after her starring role as an 18-year-old at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, where she won the 100- and 200-meters and anchored Australia's winning 4x100-meter relay team. She was honored with a statue cast in bronze outside the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the main 1956 Olympic stadium.

Athletics Australia on Monday confirmed that Cuthbert died overnight in Western Australia state.

Cuthbert, who was injured during the 1960 Olympics and then retired for 18 months before returning to competition and winning the gold medal in the 400 at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, was the first Australian inducted into the international track and field federation's Hall of Fame.

Athletics Australia said Cuthbert set nine world records and is the only athlete to win the 100, 200 and 400 sprints at the Olympics.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1969 and was restricted to a wheelchair in recent years. In one of her last major public appearances, Cuthbert carried the Olympic torch in the stadium before the cauldron was ignited to open the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

Cathy Freeman, who ignited the cauldron and won the 400 meters at the 2000 Olympics, said Cuthbert had been an inspiration.

"It's a very sad day," Freeman said. "Betty is an inspiration and her story will continue to inspire Australian athletes for generations to come.

"I'm so happy I got to meet such a tremendous and gracious role model."

John Coates, who is an International Olympic Committee vice president and head of Australia's OIympic governing body, described Cutbert as "the Golden Girl of the track and a national heroine."

"Betty battled her illness for many years and showed tremendous courage, but more importantly she always managed to smile," Coates said.

Australian Olympic Committee said an example of Cuthbert's humility was how she prepared for the first Olympics staged in Australia. She'd bought some tickets to attend the Games as a spectator because she wasn't certain she'd qualify for the team.

Australian Sports Commission chief executive Kate Palmer said Cuthbert represented a great era in Australian sport and "was an icon for female athletes and women's sport everywhere."

AP