Evelyn Ashford (born April 15, 1957 in Shreveport, Louisiana) is an American retired track and field athlete….and the 1984 Olympic champion in the 100-meter dash….having run under the 11-second barrier over 30 times in her career…..and was the first to run under 11 seconds in an Olympic Games. Ashford was ranked #1 in the world by Track & Field News over 100 meters in 1979 and 1981….and over 200 meters in 1981…..as she was also named Track and Field News “Athlete of the Year” in 1981 and 1984. At the 1984 Summer Olympics….Ashford had a chance to win a gold medal in both the 200 m and the 100 m….however, she had to withdraw from the 200 m heats with a minor injury. She competed in the 100 m, winning the event in a new Olympic Record of 10.97 secs….and as the anchor runner for 4 X 100 m relay team….she won a second gold medal.
