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Deon Marie Hemmings, born on October 9, 1968, in Saint Ann, Jamaica, is a former female 400 meters hurdler who made history in Jamaican athletics. Hemmings became the first Jamaican woman to win an Olympic Gold when she triumphed in the 400m Hurdles at the 1996 Olympics. This victory not only established her as a groundbreaking athlete but also marked a significant moment for women’s sports in Jamaica.
Maria José Martínez-Patiño is a former Spanish hurdler who made headlines when she was dismissed from the Spanish Olympic team in 1986 due to failing a gender test. Despite this setback, she successfully fought for her right to compete and participated in the 1992 Olympics. Martínez-Patiño has since become an advocate for intersex athletes’ rights and privacy, contributing to the ongoing debate on sex testing in sports.