Born: 1957
Biography:
Evelyn Ashford, born on April 15, 1957, is an American retired track and field athlete. She is best known for her achievements as a sprinter and her notable accomplishments at the Olympic Games. Ashford’s career was defined by her speed, determination, and her numerous achievements in the 100-meter dash.
At the young age of 19, Ashford made her first appearance on the world stage, finishing 5th in the 100-meter event at the 1976 Summer Olympics. It was clear from the beginning that she had incredible potential and a bright future ahead.
In 1977, Ashford secured her position as one of the top athletes in the world by winning the first-ever Broderick Award, now known as the Honda Sports Award, as the nation’s best female collegiate track and field athlete. This prestigious accolade was a testament to her skill and dedication to the sport.
The year 1979 proved to be a momentous one for Ashford. At the World Cup of Track and Field in Montreal, she defeated the world record holders in both the 100-meter and 200-meter races, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with on the track. Her remarkable performances cemented her status as a potential medalist for the upcoming 1980 Summer Olympics.
However, Ashford faced disappointment when the United States decided to boycott the 1980 Olympics. This setback, combined with an injury that saw her tearing a quad muscle in 1980 and being sidelined for the rest of the season, tested her resilience. But she bounced back stronger than ever.
Track & Field News ranked Ashford as the world’s number one sprinter in the 100 meters in both 1979 and 1981. She also held the top position in the 200 meters in 1981. Her consistency and dominance on the track earned her recognition as Track and Field News’ Athlete of the Year in 1981 and 1984.
In 1983, at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado, Ashford set her first world record for the 100 meters, clocking at an impressive 10.79 seconds. She seemed poised for success at the inaugural World Championships in Helsinki, but a hamstring injury in the final dashed her dreams of victory. Marlies Göhr of East Germany emerged as the victor.
The defining moment of Ashford’s career came at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Despite having to withdraw from the 200-meter heats due to a minor injury, she regained her composure and proved her mettle in the 100-meter race. Ashford sprinted to victory, claiming the gold medal and setting a new Olympic record of 10.97 seconds.
Not content with just one gold medal, Ashford also played a pivotal role as the anchor runner for the United States’ 4 × 100-meter relay team. The team delivered an extraordinary performance, clinching another gold medal and smashing records in the process. Their winning time set a new Olympics record and the largest margin of victory ever seen.
Following her sensational performance at the Olympics, Ashford had another outstanding race against her main rival, Marlies Göhr, at the Weltklasse meeting in Zürich, Switzerland. She triumphed, making up a significant distance and lowering her own world record to 10.76 seconds. It remains as her personal best and ranks as the 8th fastest individual time in history.
Ashford’s achievements on the track were not limited to just Olympic glory. She continued to excel in the sport, regaining her number one ranking according to Track & Field News. Her dedication, talent, and unwavering determination propelled her to be widely recognized as one of the greatest sprinters of her time.
Awards:
– Olympic gold medalist in the 100-meter dash, 1984
– Olympic gold medalist in the 4 × 100-meter relay, 1984
– Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) recipient, 1977