Mary Decker

American middle-distance runner

For the American model, see Mary Beth Decker.

Mary Decker

Decker in 1982

Personal information
Birth name| Mary Teresa Decker
Born|  (1958-08-04) August 4, 1958 (age 66)
Bunnvale, New Jersey, U.S.[1]
Height| 168 cm (5 ft 6 in)[1]
Weight| 51 kg (112 lb)
Sport
Sport| Middle distance running
Event| 800–5000 m
Club| Athletics West, Eugene[1]
Retired| 1999
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)| 800 m: 1:56.90 (1985)
1500 m: 3:57.12 (1983)
Mile: 4:16.71 (1985)
3000 m: 8:25.83 (1985)
5000 m: 15:06.53 (1985)
10,000 m: 31:35.3 (1982)[2]

Medal record

Representing  United States
World Championships
|  1983 Helsinki | 1500 m
|  1983 Helsinki | 3000 m
Pan American Games
|  1979 San Juan | 1500 m

Mary Teresa Slaney (formerly Tabb, née Decker, born August 4, 1958) is an American retired middle-distance and long-distance runner. During her career, she won gold medals in the 1500 meters and 3000 meters at the 1983 World Championships and was the world-record holder in the mile, 5000 meters and 10,000 meters. In total, she set 17 official and unofficial world records, and she was the first woman to break 4:20 for the mile. She also set 36 U.S. national records at distances ranging from 800 meters to 10,000 meters, and has held the U.S. record in the 2000 meters and 3000 meters since the early 1980s, while her 1500 meters record stood for 32 years and her mile record stood for 38 years. In 2003, she was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.[3]

## Early life

[edit]

Decker was born in Bunnvale, New Jersey. A decade later, her family moved to Garden Grove in Southern California, where Decker started running. A year later at the age of 11, she won her first local competition.[citation needed]

She joined her school athletics club and a local track club and completely immersed herself in running. At age 12, she completed a marathon and four middle- and long-distance races in one week, ending the week with an appendectomy operation.[citation needed]

## Career

[edit]

In her early teens, Decker was already recognized as a world-class runner. Unable to attend the 1972 Olympics as she was too young at 14, Decker, who ran wearing pigtails and at the weight of 89 lb (40 kg), won international acclaim in 1973 with a win in the 800 meters at a U.S.-USSR meet in Minsk, beating the reigning Olympic silver medalist Nijolė Sabaitė.[citation needed]

In 1973, she set her first world record, running an indoor mile in 4:40.1. By 1974, Decker was the world indoor record holder with 2:02.4 for 880 yards, and 2:01.8 for 800 meters.

By the end of 1974, Decker had developed a case of the muscle condition compartment syndrome. This resulted in a series of injuries that prevented her from competing in the 1976 Summer Olympics because of stress fractures in her lower leg. In 1978, she underwent an operation to address her compartment syndrome, which kept her out of competition for a period.[citation needed] After recovering from surgery, she spent two seasons at the University of Colorado at Boulder on a track scholarship.[4][5] In 1979, she became the second American woman (the first was Francie Larrieu) to break the 4:30 mile.[6] Decker was the first woman to break the 4:20 barrier for the mile in 1980 when she ran it in 4:17.55. However, this time was never ratified by the IAAF.[citation needed] Decker did not compete at the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics because of the American boycott. However, she received one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the American athletes.[7]

In 1981, Decker married fellow American distance runner Ron Tabb. The couple divorced in 1983.[8] In 1982, under the name Mary Tabb, she ran the mile in 4:18.08, breaking the official record of 4:20.89 by the Lyudmila Veselkova of the USSR, and this time was ratified.

### Career peak

[edit]

In 1982 Decker-Tabb set six world records at distances ranging from the mile run to 10,000 meters. She received the James E. Sullivan Award as the top amateur athlete in the United States.

The following year she achieved the "Double Decker,"[9] winning both the 1500 meters and 3000 meters events at the World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Her history of relatively easy wins in the United States left her tactical abilities suspect in Helsinki, as she chose not to run in close order because so few athletes could keep up with her, a situation that the Soviet runners hoped to use to their advantage. Her wins against Soviet World Record holders proved a redemption of her competitive guile. After her double win she won the Jesse Owens Award from USA Track and Field and Sports Illustrated magazine named her Sportsperson of the Year.[1] Shortly before her World Championship victories, Decker improved her U.S. 1500 meters record to 3:57.12 in Stockholm on July 26, 1983. This record stood for 32 years until Shannon Rowbury ran 3:56.29 on July 17, 2015.

## The 1984 Olympic incident

[edit]

Decker leading the 3000 m final at the 1984 Olympics, with Zola Budd and Wendy Sly to her right, and Maricica Puică just behind to her left

Decker was heavily favored to win a gold medal in the 3000 meters run at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In the final, barefoot runner Zola Budd, representing Great Britain, had been running even with Decker for three laps and then moved ahead. In an attempt to place pressure on Budd, Decker remained close by in a crowded space. However, Decker collided with Budd and fell to the curb, injuring her hip, and she did not finish the race, which was won by Maricica Puică of Romania (Budd finished seventh). Decker was carried from the track in tears by her boyfriend (and later husband), British discus thrower Richard Slaney. At a press conference, she pinned the blame for the collision on Budd. While it is generally the trailing runner's responsibility to avoid contact with the runner ahead, it is also an accepted convention among most distance runners that the leader should be at least one full stride ahead before the trailing runner moves directly behind her. International track officials initially disqualified Budd for obstruction, but she was reinstated just one hour later after officials viewed films of the race. Despite the fact that she had been running behind Budd, Decker's claim that Budd had bumped into her leg was supported by a number of sports journalists. The claim was not accepted by the director of the games or by the IAAF.[10]

Decker and Budd next met in July 1985 for a 3000-meter race at Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London. Decker won the race, and Budd finished in fourth place. After the race, the women shook hands and reconciled. Decker later claimed that she was robbed of the 1984 Olympics 3000-meter gold medal by Budd, but many years after the event said: "The reason I fell, some people think she tripped me deliberately. I happen to know that wasn't the case at all. The reason I fell is because I am and was very inexperienced in running in a pack."[11] Budd and Decker later reunited for a 2016 documentary about the incident, The Fall.[12]

Decker had a successful 1985 season, winning 12-mile and 3000-meter races in Europe, including a new official world record for the women's mile of 4:16.71 in Zurich (Natalya Artyomova's 4:15.8 in 1984 was not ratified by the IAAF), a race in which she beat both Budd and Puică. Since that race in 1985, Decker's time has only been bettered four times.[13]

Decker at the 1988 Olympic trials

Decker missed the 1986 season to give birth to her only child, daughter Ashley Lynn (born May 30, 1986) and then missed the 1987 season because of injury. She qualified for the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea, competing at 1500 meters and 3000 meters, but finished in 8th and 10th respectively, failing to win a medal. She did not qualify for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

## Doping controversy

[edit]

In 1996, at the age of 37, as she qualified for the 5000 meters at the Atlanta Olympics, a urine test taken in June at the Olympic trials showed a testosterone to epitestosterone (T/E) ratio greater than the allowable maximum of 6:1.[14] At the time of the positive test, Decker was being coached by Alberto Salazar.[15]

Decker and her lawyers contended that the T/E ratio test is unreliable for women, especially women in their late 30s or older who take birth-control pills. In the meantime, Decker was eliminated in the heats at the Olympics.[4]

In June 1997, the IAAF banned Decker from competition. In September 1999, a USATF panel reinstated her.[16][17] The IAAF cleared her to compete but took the case to arbitration. In April 1999, the arbitration panel ruled against Decker, and although she was cleared to compete, the IAAF instituted a retroactive ban that stripped her of the silver medal that she had won in the 1500-meter race at the 1997 World Indoor Championships.[18][19]

In April 1999, Decker filed suit against both the IAAF and the U.S. Olympic Committee that had administered the test, arguing that the test is flawed and cannot distinguish between androgens caused by the use of banned substances and those resulting from the use of birth-control pills.[20] The court ruled that it had no jurisdiction, and the decision was upheld on appeal.[21]

The T/E test threshold has since been tightened to a 4:1 ratio, and laboratories now also run a carbon isotope ratio test (CIR) if the T/E ratio is unusually high.[22]

## Later life

[edit]

Throughout her later career, Decker had suffered a series of stress-induced fractures. After the loss of her 1999 legal case, she underwent more than 30 orthopedic procedures, mainly on her legs and feet, in an attempt to enable her to run competitively in marathons. However, after the surgeries, she continued to experience injuries. As a result, she retired with her husband to a 55-acre (22 ha) property in Eugene, Oregon, where she jogs every other day.[23]

## International competitions

[edit]

Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Result

|
|
|
|
|

Representing  United States
1979  | Pan American Games | San Juan, Puerto Rico  | 1st  | 1500 m  | 4:05.7
1983  | World Championships | Helsinki, Finland  | 1st  | 1500 m  | 4:00.90
1st  | 3000 m  | 8:34.62
1984  | Olympic Games | Los Angeles, United States  | DNF  | 3000 m  | 8:44.32 (heat)
1985  | Grand Prix Final | Rome, Italy  | 1st  | 3000 m  | 8:46.38
1988  | Olympic Games | Seoul, South Korea  | 8th  | 1500 m  | 4:02.49
10th  | 3000 m  | 8:47.13
1991  | Grand Prix Final | Barcelona, Spain  | 2nd  | Mile  | 4:28.35
1996  | Olympic Games | Atlanta, United States  | 21st (h)  | 5000 m  | 15:41.30
1997  | World Indoor Championships | Paris, France  | DQ (2nd)  | 1500 m  | ~~4:05.22~~
(h) Indicates overall position in qualifying heats. DNF = did not finish. DQ = disqualified.

## See also

[edit]

* List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Mary Decker-Slaney". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020.
2. ^ Mary Slaney at World Athletics
3. ^ Mary Slaney (Decker) at USA Track & Field Hall of Fame
4. ^ a b MacDonald, Jamie (November 29, 1999). "Mary Decker Slaney, Track and Field". Sports Illustrated for Women. CNNsi.com. Archived from the original on May 24, 2001. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
5. ^ Taylor, Susan Champli (September 29, 1986). "Mary Decker Takes a Run at Happiness with Husband Richard Slaney". Retrieved June 13, 2010.
6. ^ Chronological Listing of U.S. Women Who Have Broken 4:30 in the Mile as of May 5, 2013[permanent dead link‍]. bringbackthemile.com
7. ^ Caroccioli, Tom; Caroccioli, Jerry (2008). Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. Highland Park, Illinois: New Chapter Press. pp. 243–253. ISBN 978-0942257403.
8. ^ "Mary Decker Takes a Run at Happiness with Husband Richard Slaney". PEOPLE.com. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
9. ^ "Covers". CNN. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014.
10. ^ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Athletics at the 1984 Los Angeles Summer Games: Women's 3,000 metres". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020.
11. ^ Parker-Pope, Tara (August 1, 2008). "An Olympic Blast From the Past". The New York Times. Retrieved May 12, 2010.
12. ^ Bradshaw, Peter (July 21, 2016). "The Fall review – Mary Decker and Zola Budd reunite for dramatic finale". The Guardian. Retrieved March 2, 2024.
13. ^ One Mile – women – senior – outdoor. iaaf.org. Retrieved on October 9, 2016.
14. ^ Litsky, Frank (April 14, 1999). "TRACK AND FIELD; Slaney Suing the I.A.A.F. In Dispute Over a Drug Test". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
15. ^ LONGMAN, JERE (May 1, 1996). "TRACK AND FIELD; Slaney Tries New Approach to Olympic Quest". The New York Times. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
16. ^ "Athletes Unretiring: The Comeback Kids". Business Week. Archived from the original on October 17, 2010. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
17. ^ "Runner still feels regret over 1984 Olympics wipeout". Taipei Times. Reuters. July 25, 2009. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
18. ^ Rowbottom, Mike (April 27, 1999). "Athletics: Slaney doping ban upheld at IAAF hearing". The Independent. London. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
19. ^ Mark Butler (ed.), "DOPING VIOLATIONS AT IAAF WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS" (PDF), IAAF Statistics Book – World Indoor Championships SOPOT 2014, IAAF, pp. 47–48, retrieved September 27, 2015
20. ^ Yesalis, Charles (2000). Anabolic steroids in sport and exercise (2nd ed.). Human Kinetics. p. 367\. ISBN 978-0-88011-786-9.
21. ^ "Mary Decker Slaney, Plaintiff-appellant, v. the International Amateur Athletic Federation and the United States Olympic Committee, Defendants-appellees, 244 F.3d 580 (7th Cir. 2001)". Retrieved August 31, 2016.
22. ^ Cotton, Simon (March 1, 2010). "Five rings good, four rings bad". Education in Chemistry. Vol. 47, no. 3\. Royal Society of Chemistry. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
23. ^ Gene Cherry (July 28, 2009). "Mary Slaney still yearns to run". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 9, 2012. Retrieved May 27, 2010.

## External links

[edit]

* Mary Slaney at World Athletics
* Mary Slaney (Decker) at www.USATF.org
* Mary Slaney (Decker) at the USATF Hall of Fame (archived)
* Mary Slaney at Olympics.com
* Mary Decker-Slaney at Olympedia

Records

Preceded by

Natalia Mărășescu

|  Women's mile world record holder
26 January 1980 – 12 September 1981
9 July 1982 – 9 September 1982
21 August 1985 – 10 July 1989  | Succeeded by

Lyudmila Veselkova

Preceded by

Lyudmila Veselkova

| Succeeded by

Maricica Puică

Preceded by

Maricica Puică

| Succeeded by

Paula Ivan

Awards and achievements
Preceded by

Martina Navratilova

|  United Press International
Athlete of the Year
1985  | Succeeded by

Heike Drechsler

Sporting positions
Preceded by

Paula Fudge

|  Women's 5.000m Best Year Performance
1982  | Succeeded by

Zola Budd

Preceded by

Tatyana Kazankina

|  Women's 3.000m Best Year Performance
1985  | Succeeded by

Olga Bondarenko

* v
* t
* e

World champions in women's 1500 metres

* 1983:  Mary Decker (USA)
* 1987:  Tetyana Dorovskikh (URS)
* 1991:  Hassiba Boulmerka (ALG)
* 1993:  Liu Dong (CHN)
* 1995:  Hassiba Boulmerka (ALG)
* 1997:  Carla Sacramento (POR)
* 1999:  Svetlana Masterkova (RUS)
* 2001:  Gabriela Szabo (ROU)
* 2003:  Tatyana Tomashova (RUS)
* 2005:  Tatyana Tomashova (RUS)
* 2007:  Maryam Yusuf Jamal (BHR)
* 2009:  Maryam Yusuf Jamal (BHR)
* 2011:  Jennifer Simpson (USA)
* 2013:  Abeba Aregawi (SWE)
* 2015:  Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)
* 2017:  Faith Kipyegon (KEN)
* 2019:  Sifan Hassan (NED)
* 2022:  Faith Kipyegon (KEN)
* 2023:  Faith Kipyegon (KEN)

* v
* t
* e

World champions in women's 3000 metres and 5000 metres

3000 metres
(1980–1993)|

* 1980:  Birgit Friedmann (FRG)
* 1983:  Mary Decker (USA)
* 1987:  Tetyana Dorovskikh (URS)
* 1991:  Tetyana Dorovskikh (URS)
* 1993:  Qu Yunxia (CHN)

5000 metres
(1995–present)|

* 1995:  Sonia O'Sullivan (IRL)
* 1997:  Gabriela Szabo (ROU)
* 1999:  Gabriela Szabo (ROU)
* 2001:  Olga Yegorova (RUS)
* 2003:  Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2005:  Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2007:  Meseret Defar (ETH)
* 2009:  Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN)
* 2011:  Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN)
* 2013:  Meseret Defar (ETH)
* 2015:  Almaz Ayana (ETH)
* 2017:  Hellen Obiri (KEN)
* 2019:  Hellen Obiri (KEN)
* 2022:  Gudaf Tsegay (ETH)
* 2023:  Faith Kipyegon (KEN)

Note: In 1995, the 3000 m was replaced by the 5000 m.

* v
* t
* e

Pan American Champions in women's 1500 metres

* 1975:  Jan Merrill (USA)
* 1979:  Mary Decker (USA)
* 1983:  Ranza Clark (CAN)
* 1987:  Linda Sheskey (USA)
* 1991:  Alisa Hill (USA)
* 1995:  Sarah Thorsett (USA)
* 1999:  Marla Runyan (USA)
* 2003:  Adriana Muñoz (CUB)
* 2007:  Juliana Paula dos Santos (BRA)
* 2011:  Adriana Muñoz (CUB)
* 2015:  Muriel Coneo (COL)
* 2019:  Nikki Hiltz (USA)
* 2023:  Joselyn Brea (VEN)

* v
* t
* e

US National Championship winners in women's 800-meter dash

1927–1979
Amateur Athletic Union|

* 1927: Marcelle Barkley
* 1928: Rayma Wilson
* 1958: Flo McArdle
* 1959: Grace Butcher
* 1960–1: Pat Connolly
* 1962: Leah Bennett
* 1963–4: Sandy Knott
* 1965: Marie Mulder
* 1966: Charlette Cooke
* 1967: Madeline Manning
* 1968: Doris Brown
* 1969: Madeline Manning
* 1970–1: Cheryl Toussaint
* 1972: Carol Hudson
* 1973: Wendy Knudson
* 1974: Mary Decker
* 1975–6: Madeline Manning
* 1977: Sue Addison
* 1978: Ruth Wysocki
* 1979: Essie Kelley

1980–1992
The Athletics Congress|

* 1980–1: Madeline Manning
* 1982: Delisa Walton
* 1983: Robin Campbell
* 1984: Kim Gallagher
* 1985–6: Claudette Groenendall
* 1987: Essie Kelley
* 1988–9: Joetta Clark
* 1990: Meredith Rainey
* 1991: Delisa Walton-Floyd
* 1992: Joetta Clark

1993–present
USA Track & Field|

* 1993–4: Joetta Clark
* 1995–6: Meredith Rainey
* 1997: Kathi Rounds
* 1998–9: Jearl Miles Clark
* 2000: Hazel Clark
* 2001: Regina Jacobs
* 2002: Nicole Teter
* 2003–4: Jearl Miles Clark
* 2005–6: Hazel Clark
* 2007: Alysia Johnson
* 2008–9: Hazel Clark
* 2010–3: Alysia Montaño
* 2014: Ajeé Wilson
* 2015: Alysia Montaño
* 2016: Kate Grace
* 2017-9: Ajeé Wilson
* 20212020 OT: Athing Mu
* 2022: Athing Mu

Notes|

* OT: 1928, and since 1992, championships incorporated the Olympic Trials in Olympic years, otherwise held as a discrete event.

* 2020 OT: The 2020 Olympic Trials were delayed and held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Distance:The event was over 880 yards in 1958, 1961–3, 1965–6, 1969–70 and 1973–4

* v
* t
* e

US National Championship winners in women's 1500-meter run

1965–1979
Amateur Athletic Union|

* 1965: Marie Mulder
* 1966: Doris Brown
* 1967: Natalie Rocha
* 1968: Jane Hill
* 1969: Doris Brown
* 1970: Francie Larrieu
* 1971: Kathy Gibbons
* 1972–73: Francie Larrieu
* 1974: Doris Brown
* 1975: Julie Brown
* 1976–77: Francie Larrieu
* 1978: Jan Merrill
* 1979: Francie Larrieu

1980–1992
The Athletics Congress|

* 1980: Francie Larrieu
* 1981: Jan Merrill
* 1982–83: Mary Slaney
* 1984: Kim Gallagher
* 1985: Diana Richburg
* 1986: Linda Sheskey
* 1987: Regina Jacobs
* 1988: Vicki Huber
* 1989: Regina Jacobs
* 1990–91: Suzy Favor Hamilton
* 1992: Regina Jacobs

1993–present
USA Track & Field|

* 1993: Annette Peters
* 1994–97: Regina Jacobs
* 1998: Suzy Hamilton
* 1999–2002: Regina Jacobs
* 2003: Suzy Favor Hamilton
* 2004: Carrie Tollefson
* 2005–07: Treniere Clement
* 2008–09: Shannon Rowbury
* 2010: Anna Pierce
* 2011–12: Morgan Uceny
* 2013: Treniere Moser
* 2014–17: Jennifer Simpson
* 2018–19: Shelby Houlihan
* 20212020 OT: Elle Purrier St. Pierre
* 2023: Nikki Hiltz

Notes|

* OT: Since 1992, championships incorporated the Olympic Trials in Olympic years; the Trials were otherwise held as a discrete event.

* 2020 OT: The 2020 Olympic Trials were delayed and held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

* Distance:The event was over one mile in 1973–4

* v
* t
* e

US National Championship winners in women's 3000-meter run/two-mile run

* 1970: Beth Bonner
* 1971: Doris Brown Heritage
* 1972: Tena Anex
* 1973: Eileen Claugus
* 1974–75: Lynn Bjorklund
* 1976–78: Jan Merrill
* 1979: Francie Larrieu Smith
* 1980: Julie Brown
* 1981: Brenda Webb
* 1982: Francie Larrieu Smith
* 1983: Mary Decker
* 1984: Jan Merrill
* 1985: Cathy Branta
* 1986–87: Mary Knisely
* 1988: Lynn Jennings
* 1989: PattiSue Plumer
* 1990: Lynn Jennings
* 1991: Shelly Steely
* 1992: PattiSue Plumer
* 1993: Annette Peters
* 1994: Annette Peters

* v
* t
* e

USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners in women's 800 m (880 yards, 1000 m)

1927–1979
Amateur Athletic Union|

* 1958: Grace Butcher
* 1959: Harriet Douthitt
* 1960: Grace Butcher
* 1961: Helen Shipley
* 1962: Leah Bennett
* 1963: Leah Bennett Ferris
* 1964: Sandy Knott
* 1965:  Abby Hoffman (CAN), Marie Mulder (4th)
* 1966:  Zsuzsa Szabó (HUN), Marie Mulder (2nd)
* 1967: Madeline Manning
* 1968: Madeline Manning
* 1969: Madeline Manning
* 1970: Francie Kraker Goodridge
* 1971:  Abby Hoffman (CAN), Cheryl Toussaint (2nd)
* 1972: Cheryl Toussaint
* 1973: Cheryl Toussaint
* 1974: Mary Decker
* 1975: Kathy Weston
* 1976: Johanna Forman
* 1977: Cyndy Poor
* 1978: Debbie Vetter
* 1979: Wendy Koenig

1980–1992
The Athletics Congress|

* 1980: Madeline Manning
* 1981: Delisa Walton-Floyd
* 1982: Leann Warren
* 1983: Delisa Walton-Floyd
* 1984:  Lyubov Gurina (URS), Robin Campbell (2nd)
* 1985:  Cristieana Cojocaru (ROM), Rose Monday (3rd)
* 1986:  Sigrun Wodars (GDR), Delisa Walton-Floyd (3rd)
* 1987:  Christine Wachtel (GDR), Joetta Clark Diggs (3rd)
* 1988:  Mitica Constantin (ROM), Joetta Clark Diggs (2nd)
* 1989: Joetta Clark Diggs
* 1990: Joetta Clark Diggs
* 1991: Meredith Rainey-Valmon
* 1992:  Maria Mutola (MOZ), Meredith Rainey-Valmon (2nd)

1993–present
USA Track & Field|

* 1993:  Maria Mutola (MOZ), Joetta Clark Diggs (2nd)
* 1994:  Maria Mutola (MOZ), Joetta Clark Diggs (2nd)
* 1995:  Maria Mutola (MOZ), Meredith Rainey-Valmon (2nd)
* 1996: Joetta Clark Diggs
* 1997: Joetta Clark Diggs
* 1998: Joetta Clark Diggs
* 1999: Meredith Rainey-Valmon
* 2000: Hazel Clark
* 2001: Jearl Miles Clark
* 2002: Nicole Teter
* 2003: Nicole Teter
* 2004: Jen Toomey
* 2005: Hazel Clark
* 2006: Alice Schmidt
* 2007: Nikeya Green
* 2008: Nicole Teter
* 2009: Katie Waits
* 2010: Anna Willard
* 2011: Phoebe Wright
* 2012: Erica Moore
* 2013: Ajeé Wilson
* 2014: Ajeé Wilson
* 2015: Lauren Wallace
* 2016: Ajeé Wilson
* 2017: Charlene Lipsey
* 2018: Ajeé Wilson
* 2019: Ajeé Wilson
* 2020: Ajeé Wilson
* 2022: Ajeé Wilson
* 2023: Nia Akins
* 2024: Allie Wilson

Notes|

* Distances have varied as follows: 880 yards (1959–1986), 800 meters (1987–date) except 1000 meters (2015, 2017,2019). The 1958 race was run as an exhibition.

* v
* t
* e

USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners in women's mile run (1500 m)

1967–1979
Amateur Athletic Union|

* 1967: Doris Brown
* 1968: Doris Brown
* 1969:  Abby Hoffman (CAN), Cheryl Bridges (2nd)
* 1970: Kathy Gibbons
* 1971: Doris Brown
* 1972: Doris Brown
* 1973:  Lyudmila Bragina (URS), Debbie Heald (3rd)
* 1974: Robin Campbell
* 1975: Francie Larrieu Smith
* 1976: Jan Merrill
* 1977: Francie Larrieu Smith
* 1978: Francie Larrieu Smith
* 1979: Francie Larrieu Smith

1980–1992
The Athletics Congress|

* 1980: Maggie Keyes
* 1981: Jan Merrill
* 1982: Cathie Twomey
* 1983: Darlene Beckford
* 1984:  Brit McRoberts (CAN), Jan Merrill (2nd)
* 1985:  Doina Melinte (ROM)
* 1986:  Maricica Puică (ROM), Josephine White (3rd)
* 1987:  Doina Melinte (ROM), Darlene Beckford (2nd)
* 1988:  Doina Melinte (ROM), Alisa Harvey (2nd)
* 1989: Linda Sheskey
* 1990:  Doina Melinte (ROM), PattiSue Plumer (2nd)
* 1991: Suzy Favor Hamilton
* 1992: Lynn Jennings

1993–present
USA Track & Field|

* 1993: Shelly Steely
* 1994:  Hassiba Boulmerka (ALG), Gina Procaccio (2nd)
* 1995: Regina Jacobs
* 1996: Stephanie Best
* 1997: Mary Decker
* 1998: Suzy Favor Hamilton
* 1999: Suzy Favor Hamilton
* 2000: Regina Jacobs
* 2001: Collette Liss
* 2002: Regina Jacobs
* 2003: Regina Jacobs
* 2004: Jen Toomey
* 2005: Jen Toomey
* 2006: Treniere Moser
* 2007: Shayne Culpepper
* 2008: Christin Wurth-Thomas
* 2009: Anna Willard
* 2010: Morgan Uceny
* 2011: Jenny Simpson
* 2012: Jenny Simpson
* 2013: Mary Cain
* 2014: Mary Cain
* 2015: Shannon Rowbury
* 2016: Brenda Martinez
* 2017: Shelby Houlihan
* 2018: Shelby Houlihan
* 2019: Colleen Quigley
* 2020: Shelby Houlihan
* 2022: Heather MacLean
* 2023: Nikki Hiltz
* 2024: Nikki Hiltz

Notes|

*Distances have varied as follows: Mile (1967–2002), except 1997 and 1999, 2007 and odd numbered years since 2011, 1500 meters 1997, 1999, (2003–6, 2008–2010) and even numbered years since 2010

* v
* t
* e

USA Championship winners in the women's 10K run

* 1978: Mary Decker
* 1979: Karin Von Berg
* 1980: Dana Slater
* 1981: Laura Craven
* 1982: Kathy Boyle
* 1983: Judi St. Hilaire
* 1984: Betty Jo Geiger
* 1985: Francie Larrieu Smith & Betty Jo Geiger
* 1986: Betty Jo Geiger
* 1987–88: Lynn Jennings
* 1989: Margaret Groos
* 1990–91: Lynn DeNinno
* 1992: Lynn Jennings
* 1993: Jody Hawkins
* 1994: Lynn Jennings
* 1995: Colette Murphy
* 1996: Anne Marie Letko
* 1997: Kim Jones
* 1998–2000: Libbie Hickman
* 2001: Elva Dryer
* 2002: Marla Runyan
* 2003: Elva Dryer
* 2004: Amy Yoder Begley
* 2005: Katie McGregor
* 2006–07: Not held
* 2008–10: Molly Huddle
* 2011: Janet Cherobon-Bawcom
* 2012: Chelsea Reilly
* 2013: Janet Cherobon-Bawcom
* 2014: Amy Cragg
* 2015: Molly Huddle
* 2016: Emily Sisson
* 2017: Aliphine Tuliamuk
* 2018: Stephanie Bruce
* 2019: Sara Hall
* 2020: Not held
* 2021: Sara Hall

* v
* t
* e

1984 USA Olympic track and field team

Qualification|

1984 United States Olympic trials (track and field)

Men's track
and road athletes|

* Ray Armstead
* Alonzo Babers
* Kirk Baptiste
* Ron Brown
* Tonie Campbell
* Don Clary
* Paul Cummings
* Brian Diemer
* Marco Evoniuk
* Greg Foster
* Sam Graddy
* Johnny Gray
* John Gregorek
* Danny Harris
* Tranel Hawkins
* Jim Heiring
* Thomas Jefferson
* Earl Jones
* Roger Kingdom
* Steve Lacy
* Carl Lewis
* Henry Marsh
* John Marshall
* Antonio McKay
* Walter McCoy
* Edwin Moses
* Sunder Nix
* Daniel O'Connor
* Vince O'Sullivan
* Doug Padilla
* Pete Pfitzinger
* Pat Porter
* Alberto Salazar
* Carl Schueler
* Steve Scott
* Calvin Smith
* Willie Smith
* Jim Spivey
* John Tuttle
* Craig Virgin

Men's
field athletes|

* Duncan Atwood
* Willie Banks
* Earl Bell
* Tim Bright
* Ed Burke
* Art Burns
* Michael Carter
* Mike Conley Sr.
* John Crist
* Milton Goode
* Bill Green
* Al Joyner
* Dave Laut
* Carl Lewis
* Jud Logan
* Doug Lytle
* Mike McRae
* Larry Myricks
* Doug Nordquist
* Tom Petranoff
* John Powell
* Steve Roller
* Dwight Stones
* Mike Tully
* Mac Wilkins
* Augie Wolf
* Jim Wooding

Women's track
and road athletes|

* Evelyn Ashford
* Sharrieffa Barksdale
* Joan Benoit
* Jeanette Bolden
* Cindy Bremser
* Valerie Brisco-Hooks
* Alice Brown
* Judi Brown
* Julie Brown
* Robin Campbell
* Chandra Cheeseborough
* Mary Decker
* Diane Dixon
* Benita Fitzgerald-Brown
* Kim Gallagher
* Randy Givens
* Florence Griffith Joyner
* Joan Hansen
* Denean Howard
* Sherri Howard
* Julie Isphording
* Missy Kane
* Lillie Leatherwood
* Pam Page
* Diana Richburg
* Kim Turner
* Angela Wright-Scott
* Ruth Wysocki

Women's
field athletes|

* Jodi Anderson
* Carol Cady
* Laura De Snoo
* Leslie Deniz
* Cindy Greiner
* Lorna Griffin
* Joni Huntley
* Jackie Joyner
* Carol Lewis
* Ramona Pagel
* Louise Ritter
* Karin Smith
* Pam Spencer
* Lynda Sutfin
* Cathy Sulinski
* Angela Thacker

Coaches|

* v
* t
* e

1988 USA Olympic track and field team

Qualification|

* 1988 United States Olympic trials (track and field)

Men's track
and road athletes|

* Brian Abshire
* Jeff Atkinson
* Tracy Baskin
* Bruce Bickford
* Arthur Blake
* Terry Brahm
* Tonie Campbell
* Mark Conover
* Mark Deady
* Joe DeLoach
* Brian Diemer
* Danny Everett
* Mark Everett
* Marco Evoniuk
* Ed Eyestone
* Johnny Gray
* Jim Heiring
* Andy Kaestner
* Roger Kingdom
* Carl Lewis
* Steve Lewis
* Tim Lewis
* Sydney Maree
* Henry Marsh
* Roy Martin
* Antonio McKay (r)
* Lee McNeill (r)
* Dennis Mitchell
* Gary Morgan
* Edwin Moses
* Doug Padilla
* Pete Pfitzinger
* Andre Phillips
* Steve Plasencia
* Pat Porter
* Butch Reynolds
* Albert Robinson (r)
* Kevin Robinzine (r)
* Carl Schueler
* Steve Scott
* Calvin Smith
* Andrew Valmon (r)
* Kevin Young

Men's
field athletes|

* Willie Banks
* Randy Barnes
* Earl Bell
* Tim Bright
* Mike Buncic
* Robert Cannon
* Hollis Conway
* Brian Crouser
* Lance Deal
* Jim Doehring
* Ken Flax
* Randy Heisler
* Jim Howard
* Dave Johnson
* Gary Kinder
* Carl Lewis
* Jud Logan
* Larry Myricks
* Billy Olson
* Tom Petranoff
* Mike Powell
* Charles Simpkins
* Brian Stanton
* Dave Stephens
* Gregg Tafralis
* Kory Tarpenning
* Mac Wilkins

Women's track
and road athletes|

* Evelyn Ashford
* Valerie Brisco
* Alice Brown (r)
* Joetta Clark
* Gail Devers-Roberts
* Nancy Ditz
* Diane Dixon
* Sheila Echols (r)
* Kim Gallagher
* Margaret Groos
* Denean Howard-Hill
* Sherri Howard (r)
* Vicki Huber
* Jacqueline Humphrey
* Regina Jacobs
* Lynn Jennings
* Florence Griffith Joyner
* Francie Larrieu-Smith
* Lillie Leatherwood (r)
* Pam Marshall
* LaVonna Martin
* Leslie Maxie
* Lynn Nelson
* Cathy O'Brien
* PattiSue Plumer
* LaTanya Sheffield
* Mary Decker Slaney
* Gwen Torrence
* Delisa Walton-Floyd
* Schowonda Williams
* Dannette Young (r)

Women's
field athletes|

* Wendy Brown
* Carol Cady
* Bonnie Dasse
* Sheila Echols
* Cindy Greiner
* Jackie Joyner-Kersee
* Trish King
* Carol Lewis
* Donna Mayhew
* Ramona Pagel
* Connie Price
* Louise Ritter
* Karin Smith
* Coleen Sommer
* Lynda Sutfin

Coaches|

* Stan Huntsman (men's head coach)
* Dean Hayes (men's assistant coach)
* Irving "Moon" Mondschein (men's assistant coach)
* Tom Pagani (men's assistant coach)
* Russ Rogers (men's assistant coach)
* Joe Vigil (men's assistant coach)
* Terry Crawford (women's head coach)
* Ken Foreman (women's assistant coach)
* Dave Rodda (women's assistant coach)
* Fred Thompson (women's assistant coach)

* v
* t
* e

1996 USA Olympic track and field team

Qualification|

1996 United States Olympic trials (track and field)

Men's
track and road
athletes|

* Derrick Adkins
* Brad Barquist
* Keith Brantly
* Bryan Bronson
* Andrzej Chylinski
* Curt Clausen
* Mark Coogan
* Mark Crear
* Mark Croghan
* Calvin Davis
* Marc Davis
* Jon Drummond
* Robert Gary
* Johnny Gray
* Matt Giusto
* Tim Harden
* Alvin Harrison
* Brian Hyde
* Allen James
* Allen Johnson
* Michael Johnson
* Bob Kempainen
* Bob Kennedy
* Michael Marsh
* Anthuan Maybank
* Dan Middleman
* Derek Mills
* Dennis Mitchell
* Tim Montgomery
* Herm Nelson
* José Parrilla
* Jason Pyrah
* Butch Reynolds
* Brandon Rock
* Jason Rouser
* Lamont Smith
* Jim Spivey
* Eugene Swift
* Jeff Williams
* Todd Williams

Men's
field athletes|

* Charles Austin
* Randy Barnes
* Ed Broxterman
* Mike Conley Sr.
* Lance Deal
* Steve Fritz
* John Godina
* Joe Greene
* Kenny Harrison
* Jeff Hartwig
* Robert Howard
* Chris Huffins
* Scott Huffman
* C. J. Hunter
* Lawrence Johnson
* Carl Lewis
* Kevin McMahon
* Dan O'Brien
* Ken Popejoy
* Mike Powell
* Tom Pukstys
* Todd Riech
* Adam Setliff
* Dave Stephens
* Anthony Washington
* Cameron Wright

Women's
track and road
athletes|

* Olga Appell
* Kim Batten
* Tonja Buford-Bailey
* Joetta Clark
* Gail Devers
* Sandra Farmer-Patrick
* Suzy Favor Hamilton
* Kate Fonshell
* Chryste Gaines
* Kim Graham
* Carlette Guidry
* Julie Henner
* Victoria Herazo
* D'Andre Hill
* Vicki Huber
* Regina Jacobs
* Lynn Jennings
* Anne Marie Lauck
* Debbi Lawrence
* Maicel Malone
* Jearl Miles
* Inger Miller
* Joan Nesbit
* Meredith Rainey
* Michelle Rohl
* Amy Rudolph
* Mary Slaney
* Linda Somers
* Jenny Spangler
* Rochelle Stevens
* Lynda Tolbert-Goode
* Gwen Torrence
* Linetta Wilson
* Dannette Young

Women's
field athletes|

* Amy Acuff
* Valeyta Althouse
* Lacy Barnes-Mileham
* Kelly Blair
* Nicole Carroll
* Sharon Hanson
* Aretha Hill
* Sheila Hudson
* Jackie Joyner-Kersee
* Diana Orrange
* Ramona Pagel
* Suzy Powell
* Connie Price-Smith
* Cynthea Rhodes
* Connie Teaberry
* Marieke Veltman
* Tisha Waller
* Erica Wheeler
* Shana Williams

Coaches|

* v
* t
* e

World Best Yearly Performance in Women's 1500 metres

* 1970: Karin Burneleit GDR
* 1971: Karin Burneleit GDR
* 1972: Lyudmila Bragina URS
* 1973: Karin Krebs GDR
* 1974: Gunhild Hoffmeister GDR
* 1975: Nina Morgunova URS
* 1976: Tatyana Kazankina URS
* 1977: Natalia Mărășescu ROM
* 1978: Giana Romanova URS
* 1979: Totka Petrova BUL
* 1980: Tatyana Kazankina URS
* 1981: Olga Dvirna URS
* 1982: Olga Dvirna URS
* 1983: Mary Slaney USA
* 1984: Nadezhda Ralldugina URS
* 1985: Mary Slaney USA
* 1986: Doina Melinte ROM
* 1987: Tetyana Dorovskikh URS
* 1988: Paula Ivan ROU
* 1989: Paula Ivan ROU
* 1990: Doina Melinte ROM
* 1991: Natalya Artyomova RUS
* 1992: Hassiba Boulmerka ALG
* 1993: Qu Yunxia CHN
* 1994: Sonia O'Sullivan IRL
* 1995: Sonia O'Sullivan IRL
* 1996: Svetlana Masterkova RUS
* 1997: Jiang Bo CHN
* 1998: Gabriela Szabo ROM
* 1999: Violeta Szekely ROM
* 2000: Suzy Favor Hamilton USA
* 2001: Violeta Szekely ROM
* 2002: Süreyya Ayhan TUR
* 2003: Süreyya Ayhan TUR
* 2004: Kelly Holmes GBR
* 2005: Maryam Yusuf Jamal BHR
* 2006: Yuliya Fomenko RUS
* 2007: Maryam Yusuf Jamal BHR
* 2008: Maryam Yusuf Jamal BHR
* 2009: Maryam Yusuf Jamal BHR
* 2010: Anna Alminova RUS
* 2011: Morgan Uceny USA
* 2012: Abeba Aregawi SWE
* 2013: Abeba Aregawi SWE
* 2014: Sifan Hassan NED
* 2015: Genzebe Dibaba ETH
* 2016: Laura Muir GBR
* 2017: Sifan Hassan NED
* 2018: Genzebe Dibaba ETH
* 2019: Sifan Hassan NED
* 2020: Laura Muir GBR
* 2021: Faith Kipyegon KEN
* 2022: Faith Kipyegon KEN

* v
* t
* e

World Best Year Performance in Women's 5000 metres

* 1969: Paola Pigni (ITA)
* 1970–1975: nd
* 1976: Nina Holmén (FIN)
* 1977: Jan Merrill (USA)
* 1978: Kathy Mills (USA)
* 1979–1980: Jan Merrill (USA)
* 1981: Paula Fudge (GBR)
* 1982: Mary Slaney (USA)
* 1983: Zola Budd (RSA)
* 1984: Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)
* 1985: Zola Budd (GBR)
* 1986: Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)
* 1987–1988: Liz McColgan (GBR)
* 1989: Kathrin Weßel (GDR)
* 1990: Yelena Romanova (URS)
* 1991–1992: Elana Meyer (RSA)
* 1993: Sonia O'Sullivan (IRL)
* 1994: Yelena Romanova (RUS)
* 1995–1996: Fernanda Ribeiro (POR)
* 1997: Jiang Bo (CHN)
* 1998–1999: Gabriela Szabo (ROM)
* 2000: Gete Wami (ETH)
* 2001: Olga Yegorova (RUS)
* 2002: Paula Radcliffe (GBR)
* 2003: Berhane Adere (ETH)
* 2004: Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR)
* 2005–2007: Meseret Defar (ETH)
* 2008: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2009–2010: Meseret Defar (ETH)
* 2011–2012: Vivian Cheruiyot (KEN)
* 2013: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2014: Genzebe Dibaba (ETH)
* 2015–2016: Almaz Ayana (ETH)
* 2017–2019: Hellen Obiri (KEN)
* 2020: Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)
* 2021: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH)
* 2022: Ejgayehu Taye (ETH)
* 2023: Gudaf Tsegay (ETH)

* v
* t
* e

World Best Year Performance in Women's 10,000 metres

* 1975: Christa Vahlensieck (GER)
* 1976–77: Peg Neppel (USA)
* 1978: Natalia Betini (ROM)
* 1979: Mary Shea (USA)
* 1980: Kathryn Binns (GBR)
* 1981: Yelena Sipatova (URS)
* 1982: Mary Decker-Slaney (USA)
* 1983: Raisa Sadreydinova (URS)
* 1984: Olga Bondarenko (URS)
* 1985–87: Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)
* 1988: Olga Bondarenko (URS)
* 1989: Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR)
* 1990: Viorica Ghican (ROM)
* 1991: Liz McColgan (GBR)
* 1992: Derartu Tulu (ETH)
* 1993–94: Wang Junxia (CHN)
* 1995–96: Fernanda Ribeiro (POR)
* 1997: Dong Yanmei (CHN)
* 1998: Fernanda Ribeiro (POR)
* 1999: Getenesh Wami (ETH)
* 2000: Derartu Tulu (ETH)
* 2001–02: Paula Radcliffe (GBR)
* 2003: Berhane Adere (ETH)
* 2004: Paula Radcliffe (GBR)
* 2005: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2006: Elvan Abeylegesse (TUR)
* 2007: Mestawet Tufa (ETH)
* 2008: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2009–10: Meselech Melkamu (ETH)
* 2011: Sally Kipyego (KEN)
* 2012: Tirunesh Dibaba (ETH)
* 2013: Meseret Defar (ETH)
* 2014: Sally Kipyego (KEN)
* 2015: Gelete Burka (ETH)
* 2016–17: Almaz Ayana (ETH)
* 2018: Pauline Kamulu (KEN)
* 2019–2020: Sifan Hassan (NED)
* 2021–22: Letesenbet Gidey (ETH)

* v
* t
* e

Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year

* 1954: Roger Bannister
* 1955: Johnny Podres
* 1956: Bobby Morrow
* 1957: Stan Musial
* 1958: Rafer Johnson
* 1959: Ingemar Johansson
* 1960: Arnold Palmer
* 1961: Jerry Lucas
* 1962: Terry Baker
* 1963: Pete Rozelle
* 1964: Ken Venturi
* 1965: Sandy Koufax
* 1966: Jim Ryun
* 1967: Carl Yastrzemski
* 1968: Bill Russell
* 1969: Tom Seaver
* 1970: Bobby Orr
* 1971: Lee Trevino
* 1972: Billie Jean King & John Wooden
* 1973: Jackie Stewart
* 1974: Muhammad Ali
* 1975: Pete Rose
* 1976: Chris Evert
* 1977: Steve Cauthen
* 1978: Jack Nicklaus
* 1979: Terry Bradshaw & Willie Stargell
* 1980: U.S. Olympic Hockey Team
* 1981: Sugar Ray Leonard
* 1982: Wayne Gretzky
* 1983: Mary Decker
* 1984: Edwin Moses & Mary Lou Retton
* 1985: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
* 1986: Joe Paterno
* 1987: Bob Bourne, Judi Brown King, Kipchoge Keino, Dale Murphy, Chip Rives, Patty Sheehan, Rory Sparrow, & Reggie Williams
* 1988: Orel Hershiser
* 1989: Greg LeMond
* 1990: Joe Montana
* 1991: Michael Jordan
* 1992: Arthur Ashe
* 1993: Don Shula
* 1994: Bonnie Blair & Johann Olav Koss
* 1995: Cal Ripken Jr.
* 1996: Tiger Woods
* 1997: Dean Smith
* 1998: Mark McGwire & Sammy Sosa
* 1999: U.S. Women's Soccer Team
* 2000: Tiger Woods
* 2001: Curt Schilling & Randy Johnson
* 2002: ~~Lance Armstrong~~
* 2003: David Robinson & Tim Duncan
* 2004: Boston Red Sox
* 2005: Tom Brady
* 2006: Dwyane Wade
* 2007: Brett Favre
* 2008: Michael Phelps
* 2009: Derek Jeter
* 2010: Drew Brees
* 2011: Mike Krzyzewski & Pat Summitt
* 2012: LeBron James
* 2013: Peyton Manning
* 2014: Madison Bumgarner
* 2015: Serena Williams
* 2016: LeBron James
* 2017: Jose Altuve & J. J. Watt
* 2018: Golden State Warriors
* 2019: Megan Rapinoe
* 2020: Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Naomi Osaka, & Breanna Stewart
* 2021: Tom Brady
* 2022: Stephen Curry
* 2023: Deion Sanders

* v
* t
* e

Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year

* 1931: Helene Madison
* 1932: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1933: Helen Jacobs
* 1934: Virginia Van Wie
* 1935: Helen Wills
* 1936: Helen Stephens
* 1937: Katherine Rawls
* 1938: Patty Berg
* 1939: Alice Marble
* 1940: Alice Marble
* 1941: Betty Hicks
* 1942: Gloria Callen
* 1943: Patty Berg
* 1944: Ann Curtis
* 1945: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1946: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1947: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1948: Fanny Blankers-Koen
* 1949: Marlene Hagge
* 1950: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1951: Maureen Connolly
* 1952: Maureen Connolly
* 1953: Maureen Connolly
* 1954: Babe Didrikson Zaharias
* 1955: Patty Berg
* 1956: Pat McCormick
* 1957: Althea Gibson
* 1958: Althea Gibson
* 1959: Maria Bueno
* 1960: Wilma Rudolph
* 1961: Wilma Rudolph
* 1962: Dawn Fraser
* 1963: Mickey Wright
* 1964: Mickey Wright
* 1965: Kathy Whitworth
* 1966: Kathy Whitworth
* 1967: Billie Jean King
* 1968: Peggy Fleming
* 1969: Debbie Meyer
* 1970: Chi Cheng
* 1971: Evonne Goolagong
* 1972: Olga Korbut
* 1973: Billie Jean King
* 1974: Chris Evert
* 1975: Chris Evert
* 1976: Nadia Comăneci
* 1977: Chris Evert
* 1978: Nancy Lopez
* 1979: Tracy Austin
* 1980: Chris Evert
* 1981: Tracy Austin
* 1982: Mary Decker
* 1983: Martina Navratilova
* 1984: Mary Lou Retton
* 1985: Nancy Lopez
* 1986: Martina Navratilova
* 1987: Jackie Joyner-Kersee
* 1988: Florence Griffith Joyner
* 1989: Steffi Graf
* 1990: Beth Daniel
* 1991: Monica Seles
* 1992: Monica Seles
* 1993: Sheryl Swoopes
* 1994: Bonnie Blair
* 1995: Rebecca Lobo
* 1996: Amy Van Dyken
* 1997: Martina Hingis
* 1998: Pak Se-ri
* 1999: United States women's national soccer team
* 2000: Marion Jones
* 2001: Jennifer Capriati
* 2002: Serena Williams
* 2003: Annika Sörenstam
* 2004: Annika Sörenstam
* 2005: Annika Sörenstam
* 2006: Lorena Ochoa
* 2007: Lorena Ochoa
* 2008: Candace Parker
* 2009: Serena Williams
* 2010: Lindsey Vonn
* 2011: Abby Wambach
* 2012: Gabby Douglas
* 2013: Serena Williams
* 2014: Mo'ne Davis
* 2015: Serena Williams
* 2016: Simone Biles
* 2017: Katie Ledecky
* 2018: Serena Williams
* 2019: Simone Biles
* 2020: Naomi Osaka
* 2021: Candace Parker
* 2022: Katie Ledecky
* 2023: Simone Biles

* v
* t
* e

James E. Sullivan Award winners

* 1930: Jones
* 1931: Berlinger
* 1932: Bausch
* 1933: Cunningham
* 1934: Bonthron
* 1935: Little
* 1936: Morris
* 1937: Budge
* 1938: Lash
* 1939: Burk
* 1940: Rice
* 1941: MacMitchell
* 1942: Warmerdam
* 1943: Dodds
* 1944: Curtis
* 1945: Blanchard
* 1946: Tucker
* 1947: Kelly Jr.
* 1948: Mathias
* 1949: Button
* 1950: Wilt
* 1951: Richards
* 1952: Ashenfelter
* 1953: Sa. Lee
* 1954: Whitfield
* 1955: Dillard
* 1956: McCormick
* 1957: Morrow
* 1958: Davis
* 1959: O'Brien
* 1960: R. Johnson
* 1961: Rudolph
* 1962: Beatty
* 1963: Pennel
* 1964: Schollander
* 1965: Bradley
* 1966: Ryun
* 1967: Matson
* 1968: Meyer
* 1969: Toomey
* 1970: Kinsella
* 1971: Spitz
* 1972: Shorter
* 1973: Walton
* 1974: Wohlhuter
* 1975: Shaw
* 1976: Jenner
* 1977: Naber
* 1978: Caulkins
* 1979: Thomas
* 1980: Heiden
* 1981: Lewis
* 1982: Decker
* 1983: Moses
* 1984: Louganis
* 1985: Benoit
* 1986: Joyner-Kersee
* 1987: Abbott
* 1988: Griffith Joyner
* 1989: Evans
* 1990: Smith
* 1991: Powell
* 1992: Blair
* 1993: Ward
* 1994: Jansen
* 1995: Baumgartner
* 1996: M. Johnson
* 1997: Manning
* 1998: Holdsclaw
* 1999: C. Miller & K. Miller
* 2000: Gardner
* 2001: Kwan
* 2002: Hughes
* 2003: Phelps
* 2004: Hamm
* 2005: Redick
* 2006: Long
* 2007: Tebow
* 2008: S. Johnson
* 2009: Palmeiro-Winters
* 2010: Lysacek
* 2011: Rodriguez
* 2012: Franklin
* 2013: Urschel
* 2014: Elliott
* 2015: Stewart & Reynolds
* 2016: Carlini
* 2017: Snyder
* 2018: Plummer
* 2019: Ionescu & Sp. Lee
* 2020: No award
* 2021: Biles & Dressel
* 2022: Moore
* 2023: Clark

* v
* t
* e

National Distance Running Hall of Fame inductees

* 1998: Joan Benoit
* Ted Corbitt
* Bill Rodgers
* Frank Shorter
* Kathrine Switzer
* 1999: Johnny Kelley
* Nina Kuscsik
* Francie Larrieu Smith
* Billy Mills
* 2000: Clarence DeMar
* Steve Prefontaine
* Alberto Salazar
* Grete Waitz
* 2001: Bill Dellinger
* Lynn Jennings
* Fred Lebow
* Craig Virgin
* 2002: Bill Bowerman
* Doris Brown Heritage
* John J. Kelley
* Browning Ross
* 2003: Mary Decker
* Jim Ryun
* George Young
* 2004: None
* 2005: Don Kardong
* Greg Meyer
* Bob Schul
* 2006: Patti Catalano
* Gerry Lindgren
* Marty Liquori
* 2007: None
* 2008: Amby Burfoot
* Johnny Hayes
* Priscilla Welch
* 2009: None
* 2010: Dick Beardsley
* Miki Gorman
* 2011:
* 2012: Horace Ashenfelter
* Glenn Cunningham
* Jacqueline Hansen
* 2013:
* 2014: Tom Fleming
* Kim Merritt

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF
* FAST
* WorldCat

National|

* United States

People|

* World Athletics

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template
*[CAN]: Canada
*[HUN]: Hungary
*[URS]: Soviet Union
*[ROM]: Romania
*[GDR]: East Germany
*[MOZ]: Mozambique
*[ALG]: Algeria