Marie-Jos岢 P岢rec

Updated：2008-07-09 09:15 | Source：beijing2008.cn

　　Atlanta, 29 July 1996, Games of the XXVI Olympiad. Women‘s athletics: Frenchwoman Marie-Jos岢 PEREC, eventual winner of the event, performs in the 400m final. Credit : Getty Images/PRIOR Gary M.

　　Born:9 May 1968

　　Birthplace: Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe (France)

　　Nationality: France

　　Sport: Athletics

　　ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

　　Seoul 1988

　　Barcelona 1992

　　Atlanta 1996

　　Sydney 2000

　　AWARDS

　　Olympic medals:

　　Gold: 3

　　Other results:

　　World Championships

　　Gold: 2 (91, 95)

　　The First Runner to Win the 400m Twice

　　Marie-Jos岢 P岢rec was born on the island of Guadeloupe and moved to Paris when she was 16 years old. Recognizing her natural ability, coaches practically forced her to become a sprinter, and she represented France in the 200m at the 1988 Olympics. In 1991, she won a clear victory at 400m in the world championships. P岢rec arrived at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics as the favourite in the 400m and she lived up to expectations.

　　Defending champion Olha Bryzhina led the field into the final straightaway, but P岢rec used her long, graceful strides to pull away and win by almost two metres. P岢rec continued to dominate the 400m between Olympics.

　　At the 1996 Atlanta Games, she won another clear victory and became the first runner of either sex to win the 400m twice. Three nights later, P岢rec made history again. In the final of the 200m, she defeated Merlene Ottey of Jamaica by one metre to become the second runner to win both the 400m and the 200m.

Editor : LiuAnqi