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

  1. ^ Smith, Todd A. (2008-07-01). African Americans in Sports: Jackie Robinson of Gymnastics A Dream Denied. Regal Magazine. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ UNLV Rebels Outdoor Individual Records Archived 2017-02-10 at the Wayback Machine. UNLV Rebels. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
  4. ^ Hymans, Richard (2008). The History of the United States Olympic Trials - Track and Field Archived 2016-03-27 at the Wayback Machine. USA Track and Field. Retrieved on 2016-04-09.
  5. ^ Olympic Boycott Games. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-04-09.
  6. ^ Gwen Gardner. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-04-10.
  7. ^ 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.

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