Gwen Gardner Explained

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]

Notes and 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. https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/industry-news-new-book-chronicling-1980-u-s-olympic-boycott-features-stories-from-four-members-of-usa-olympic-swim-team-pre-order-this-book-from-the-swim-shop-and-save-10-percent/ New Book Chronicling 1980 U.S. Olympic Boycott Features Stories From Four Members of USA Olympic Swim Team
3. http://www.unlvrebels.com/sports/w-track/archive/053198aah.html UNLV Rebels Outdoor Individual Records
4. Hymans, Richard (2008). The History of the United States Olympic Trials - Track and Field . USA Track and Field. Retrieved on 2016-04-09.
5. http://www.gbrathletics.com/ic/obg.htm Olympic Boycott Games
6. http://trackfield.brinkster.net/Profile.asp?ID=4722&Gender=W Gwen Gardner
7. Book: Caroccioli. Tom. Caroccioli. Jerry. Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. New Chapter Press. Highland Park, IL. 978-0942257403. 243–253.