Evelyn Ashford

Evelyn Ashford, born on 15 April 1957, is an American retired track and field athlete and the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100 metres. She was the first woman to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games, ran under 11 seconds more than thirty times, and owns the longest unbroken athletics record, the 60 yard dash. She finished fifth in the 100 m at the 1976 Olympics at nineteen and missed the 1980 Games because of the United States boycott and an injury, then set world records of 10.79 and 10.76 seconds in 1983 and 1984. At the 1984 Games she won the 100 m in an Olympic record of 10.97 and a second gold as the anchor of the 4 x 100 m relay. She carried the United States flag at the 1988 Opening Ceremony, and won relay gold again in 1988 and in Barcelona in 1992 at the age of 35. Track & Field News named her Athlete of the Year in 1981 and 1984.