1. Biography
Evelyn Ashford's life story from her formative years through her early athletic development laid the foundation for her illustrious career.
1.1. Early Life and Education
Evelyn Ashford was born on April 15, 1957, in Shreveport, Louisiana. She attended Roseville High School and later continued her academic and athletic pursuits at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her talent for sprinting became evident during these formative years.
1.2. Early Career
Ashford began her athletic career at a young age, making her first Olympic appearance at 19. At the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, she finished fifth in the 100 m event. In 1979, she achieved significant success at the World Cup of Track and Field in Montreal, where she defeated the reigning world record holders in both the 100 m and 200 m. This performance positioned her as a strong medal contender for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, but she was unable to compete due to the boycott by the United States. That same year, she suffered a quad muscle tear, which sidelined her for the remainder of the season.
In 1977, Ashford was recognized for her collegiate achievements, winning the inaugural Broderick Award, now known as the Honda Sports Award, as the nation's best female collegiate track and field athlete. Her dominance continued into the early 1980s; she was ranked No. 1 in the world by Track & Field News for the 100 m in 1979 and 1981, and for the 200 m in 1981. She also received the prestigious Track and Field News "Athlete of the Year" award twice, in 1981 and 1984. In 1981, she secured the sprint double at the World Cup held in Rome.
On July 3, 1983, Ashford set her first world record in the 100 meters, clocking 10.79 seconds at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs, Colorado. This made her a strong favorite for the 100-meter title at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. However, during the final, she pulled a hamstring muscle and fell, preventing her from finishing the race. The title was subsequently won by Marlies Göhr of East Germany, who had previously defeated Ashford earlier that year.
2. Major Activities and Achievements
Evelyn Ashford's career is highlighted by numerous major accomplishments, including setting world records, earning multiple Olympic and World Championship medals, and receiving prestigious awards.
2.1. World Records
Ashford held two significant world records during her career. She first set the world record for the 100 m on July 3, 1983, with a time of 10.79 seconds at the National Sports Festival in Colorado Springs. She later lowered her own record to 10.76 seconds on August 22, 1984, at the Weltklasse meeting in Zürich, Switzerland. This 10.76-second performance remains her personal best and is one of the fastest times ever recorded in the event. Additionally, Ashford holds the distinction of owning the longest unbroken athletics record in the 60-yard dash.
2.2. Olympic Medals
Ashford competed in four Olympic Games, earning a total of five medals, four of which were gold.
2.2.1. 1976 Montreal Olympics
At the age of 19, Evelyn Ashford made her Olympic debut at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, where she competed in the 100 m event and finished in fifth place.
2.2.2. 1984 Los Angeles Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles marked a pivotal moment in Ashford's career. Despite having to withdraw from the 200 m heats due to a minor injury, she competed in the 100 m and won her first Olympic gold medal, setting a new Olympic record of 10.97 seconds. She secured a second gold medal as the anchor runner for the 4 × 100 m relay team. In the absence of the world champions and world record holders from East Germany, the US team recorded one of the fastest times in history, winning by the largest margin ever seen at an Olympics, 1.12 seconds.
2.2.3. 1988 Seoul Olympics
At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Ashford was honored as the flag bearer for the United States team during the Opening Ceremony. In the 100 m, she earned a silver medal with a time of 10.83 seconds, finishing behind Florence Griffith Joyner, who had broken Ashford's world record earlier that season at the Olympic Trials. In the 4 × 100 m relay, she again ran the final leg, securing her third Olympic gold medal. This victory was particularly notable as it required Ashford to run a sensational final leg to overtake Marlies Göhr, despite a less-than-perfect last baton exchange with Griffith-Joyner.
2.2.4. 1992 Barcelona Olympics
Ashford's final Olympic appearance was at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. At 35 years old, she was eliminated from the 100 m semi-finals by a mere 1/100 of a second. However, she went on to win her third consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 4 × 100 m relay, this time running the first leg. With this victory, she became one of only six women in Olympic track and field history to have won four gold medals. She was also the oldest US representative in sprint and hurdle events at those Games.
2.3. Major International Competitions
Beyond the Olympics, Evelyn Ashford achieved significant results in other major international competitions.
At the 1979 Pan American Games in San Juan, she won gold medals in both the 100 m and 200 m events.
Her participation in the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki saw her withdraw from the 100 m final due to injury.
She also competed in the 1991 World Championships in Athletics in Tokyo, where she finished fifth in the 100 m and the 4 × 100 m relay team did not finish.
In 1981, she won the sprint double at the World Cup in Rome, and in 1986, she won the 100-meter title at the Goodwill Games.
2.3.1. Major Competition Results
Evelyn Ashford's major competition results are summarized in the table below:
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Time/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | World Championships | Helsinki (Finland) | 100m | Did Not Finish | |
| 1984 | Olympics | Los Angeles (United States) | 100m | 1st | 10.97s |
| 1984 | Olympics | Los Angeles (United States) | 4×100m relay | 1st | 41.65s |
| 1988 | Olympics | Seoul (South Korea) | 100m | 2nd | 10.83s |
| 1988 | Olympics | Seoul (South Korea) | 4×100m relay | 1st | 41.98s |
| 1991 | World Championships | Tokyo (Japan) | 100m | 5th | 11.30s |
| 1991 | World Championships | Tokyo (Japan) | 4×100m relay | Did Not Finish | |
| 1992 | Olympics | Barcelona (Spain) | 100m | 5th (semi-final) | 11.29s |
| 1992 | Olympics | Barcelona (Spain) | 4×100m relay | 1st | 42.11s |
2.4. Awards and Honors
Evelyn Ashford has received numerous accolades throughout her career, recognizing her exceptional contributions to track and field.
She was the recipient of the first Broderick Award (now the Honda Sports Award) in 1977, honoring her as the nation's best female collegiate track and field athlete. Track & Field News named her "Athlete of the Year" twice, in 1981 and 1984. She was also awarded the Flo Hyman Memorial Award in 1989 and the Women's Track & Field ESPY Award in 1993. In 1990, she was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. Her legacy was further cemented with her induction into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997.
2.5. Overcoming Injuries and Comebacks
Ashford demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination throughout her career, consistently returning to elite performance after suffering significant injuries. In 1980, she injured her quad muscle but made a strong comeback in 1981, winning the sprint double at the World Cup and regaining the number one world ranking in both sprints. After an injury in 1983, she returned to become a double Olympic Champion in 1984. In 1987, a hamstring pull prevented her from competing at the World Championships, yet she returned the following season to add an Olympic silver and a third gold medal to her collection.
3. Personal Life
Beyond her athletic achievements, Evelyn Ashford's personal life included significant family milestones and a transition in her coaching approach.
3.1. Family and Coaching
On May 30, 1985, Evelyn Ashford gave birth to her daughter, Raina Ashley Washington. Following this, she made another successful return to competition in 1986, experiencing only one loss in both the 100 m and 200 m events, and winning the 100-meter title at the Goodwill Games, which earned her another No. 1 ranking by Track & Field News for the shorter distance. After parting ways with her long-time coach Pat Connolly in 1985, Ashford largely took on the role of self-coaching.
4. Evaluation and Legacy
Evelyn Ashford's lasting contributions to the sport of track and field and her influence on subsequent generations of athletes are widely recognized.
4.1. Public and Sporting Evaluation
Ashford is widely regarded as one of the greatest track and field runners ever. Her consistent high-level performance and ability to overcome adversity earned her significant recognition and admiration within the sporting community and among the public.
4.2. Impact on Athletics
Ashford's career played a crucial role in advancing women's sprinting. Her consistent breaking of the 11-second barrier and her multiple Olympic successes set new benchmarks for female athletes. She served as an inspirational figure, demonstrating what was possible through dedication, talent, and perseverance, thereby influencing future generations of female sprinters worldwide.
4.3. Commemorations and Milestones
Ashford's career is marked by several unique statistical achievements and milestones. She holds the longest unbroken athletics record in the 60-yard dash. Her achievement of winning four Olympic gold medals in track and field places her among an elite group of athletes. Her induction into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997 and the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990 further solidify her enduring legacy in the sport.