1. Overview
Joanna Dove Hayes (born December 23, 1976) is an American track and field athlete who achieved significant success as a hurdler, most notably winning the gold medal in the 100 meters hurdles at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Beyond her illustrious athletic career, Hayes has transitioned into a highly respected coaching role, mentoring numerous collegiate and professional athletes and earning national recognition as a coach. Her journey from a decorated high school athlete to an Olympic champion and a prominent figure in track and field coaching highlights her enduring dedication to the sport.
2. Early Life and Education
Joanna Hayes's foundational years were marked by early athletic promise and strong academic pursuits, laying the groundwork for her future achievements in track and field.
2.1. Childhood and High School
Born on December 23, 1976, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Joanna Dove Hayes later moved to Riverside, California, where she attended John W. North High School. During her high school career, she demonstrated exceptional talent in hurdles. In 1995, at the CIF California State Meet, she won both the 100 metres hurdles and the 300 metres hurdles, setting a new meet record in the 100 meters hurdles. Her outstanding performance led to her being named the national Girl's "High School Athlete of the Year" by Track and Field News.
2.2. University Life
Following her successful high school career, Hayes received a track scholarship and enrolled at the UCLA. She continued to compete in track and field for the UCLA Bruins, further honing her skills and competing at the collegiate level, which prepared her for professional competitions.
3. Athletic Career
Joanna Hayes's athletic career spanned over a decade, marked by a progression through different hurdle events, culminating in an Olympic gold medal, and later, a challenging period of injuries and a comeback attempt.
3.1. Early Career: 400m Hurdles
Hayes initially specialized in the 400 metres hurdles, establishing herself as a formidable competitor in this event. She achieved significant international success early in her career. At the 1999 Summer Universiade, she secured a silver medal in the 400 meters hurdles, recording a career-best time of 54.57 seconds for this event. Her success continued at the 2003 Pan American Games, where she won the gold medal in the 400 meters hurdles. Despite these achievements, she competed at the 1999 World Championships and 2003 World Championships but did not reach the final in either competition.
3.2. Olympic Gold and Transition to 100m Hurdles
From 2004, Joanna Hayes transitioned her focus to the 100 metres hurdles, a decision that would define the pinnacle of her athletic career. Her international debut in this new event was notable, as she finished fourth at the 2004 IAAF World Indoor Championships. In August of the same year, she achieved her crowning glory at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, winning the gold medal in the 100 meters hurdles with a career-best time of 12.37 seconds. This performance not only secured her an Olympic gold but also set an Olympic record at the time. Towards the end of the 2004 season, she continued her dominance by winning the 2004 IAAF World Athletics Final.

3.3. Later Career and Injuries
Following her Olympic triumph, Hayes remained a prominent figure in the 100 meters hurdles. At the 2005 World Championships in Athletics, she was considered one of the favorites, having already recorded a time of 12.47 seconds in June of that year. She advanced to the final race but unfortunately stumbled over a hurdle and failed to finish. She later secured a third-place finish at the 2005 IAAF World Athletics Final. The subsequent seasons proved challenging for Hayes, as she faced injuries that impacted her performance. Her season's best times during this period included 12.76 seconds in 2006, 13.28 seconds in 2007, and 12.63 seconds in 2008. Due to these injuries, she was unable to qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Despite these setbacks, Hayes began a determined comeback to competition in 2012, aiming to return to her previous form.
3.4. Major Competition Results
Joanna Hayes has competed in numerous major international and national competitions throughout her career, earning several medals and top finishes.
Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Universiade | Palma de Mallorca (Spain) | 400m hurdles | 2nd | 54.57s |
1999 | World Championships | Seville (Spain) | 400m hurdles | Did not reach final | - |
2003 | Pan American Games | Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) | 400m hurdles | 1st | 54.77s |
2003 | World Championships | Paris (France) | 400m hurdles | Did not reach final | - |
2004 | World Indoor Championships | Budapest (Hungary) | 60m hurdles | 4th | 7.86s |
2004 | Olympic Games | Athens (Greece) | 100m hurdles | 1st | 12.37s |
2004 | IAAF World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo (Monaco) | 100m hurdles | 1st | 12.58s |
2005 | World Championships | Helsinki (Finland) | 100m hurdles | Did not finish (final) | - |
2005 | IAAF World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo (Monaco) | 100m hurdles | 6th | 12.78s |
2008 | IAAF World Athletics Final | Stuttgart (Germany) | 100m hurdles | 8th | 13.08s |
3.5. Personal Bests
Joanna Hayes set several personal best records across various track and field disciplines during her career, showcasing her versatile speed and hurdling prowess.
- 100m: 11.41 seconds (April 10, 2004)
- 100m hurdles: 12.37 seconds (August 24, 2004)
- 400m hurdles: 54.57 seconds (July 10, 1999)
4. Coaching Career
After retiring from professional competition, Joanna Hayes transitioned into a successful coaching career, contributing significantly to the development of collegiate and professional athletes. She has served as an assistant coach at several prominent institutions. From 2014 through 2016, she was an assistant coach at her alma mater, UCLA. Prior to her time at UCLA, she coached track and field and cross country at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California.
Beginning in 2017 and continuing through the 2024 season, Hayes has been an assistant coach at the University of Southern California (USC). During her tenure at USC, she was also named the Athletic Director for Track and Field and Cross Country. Her coaching expertise extended to professional athletes as well; from 2018 to 2020, she served as the personal coach for Sydney McLaughlin, a professional runner and the world record holder in the 400m hurdles. Her dedication and expertise in coaching have been widely recognized.
5. Personal Life
Joanna Hayes is the daughter of Ted Hayes, a well-known homeless advocate based in Los Angeles. In December 2010, Hayes gave birth to her daughter, Zoe. Her personal life, though kept largely private, reflects a connection to community advocacy through her father's work and her role as a mother.
6. Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career as both an athlete and a coach, Joanna Hayes has received several significant awards and recognitions for her contributions to track and field.
- On October 11, 2014, she was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame, acknowledging her outstanding collegiate and professional athletic achievements.
- In 2024, Hayes was honored with the USATF Nike Coach of the Year award at the Night of Legends Award ceremony, recognizing her exceptional impact and success in her coaching career.
7. Legacy and Influence
Joanna Hayes's legacy in track and field is multifaceted, encompassing her impactful athletic career and her growing influence as a coach. Her Olympic gold medal in the 100 meters hurdles at the 2004 Athens Games solidified her place among the elite in the sport, inspiring many young athletes. Beyond her individual achievements, her transition into coaching has allowed her to directly shape the next generation of track and field stars. By mentoring and developing athletes at the collegiate and professional levels, she continues to contribute to the sport's growth and competitive excellence, leaving a lasting mark on the athletic community.