Gwen Gardner

Gwen Gardner (born September 7, 1960) is an American female track and field sprinter who specialized in the 400-meter dash. An African-American,^[1] she grew up in Los Angeles, California.^[2] Collegiately she competed for the UNLV Rebels and was among their best sprinters in the mid-1980s.^[3]

Gardner looked to be a key figure for the United States track team after a runner-up finish to Sherri Howard in the 400 m at the 1980 United States Olympic Trials, but the boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympics meant she ultimately did not compete in Moscow.^[4] The Liberty Bell Classic was organised for the boycotting nations and Gardner topped the field at this event, winning in 52.04 seconds ahead of Canada's Charmaine Crooks.^[5] She also placed third in the 400 m at the 1980 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, held separately that year.^[6] Gardner was one of 461 Olympic athletes to receive a Congressional Gold Medal.^[7]

References

^ Smith, Todd A. (2008-07-01). African Americans in Sports: Jackie Robinson of Gymnastics A Dream Denied. Regal Magazine. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
^ New Book Chronicling 1980 U.S. Olympic Boycott Features Stories From Four Members of USA Olympic Swim Team. Swimming World Magazine (2008-05-22). Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
^ UNLV Rebels Outdoor Individual Records 2017-02-10 at the Wayback Machine. UNLV Rebels. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
^ Hymans, Richard (2008). The History of the United States Olympic Trials - Track and Field 2016-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. USA Track and Field. Retrieved on 2016-04-09.
^ Olympic Boycott Games. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-04-09.
^ Gwen Gardner. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
^ Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry. Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Highland Park, IL: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253. ISBN 978-0942257403.