American · Bunnvale, New Jersey · Born 4 August 1958Won double gold at 1983 World Championships.
In a single 1982 season, Mary Decker set seven world and American records across distances from 800m to 10,000m, earning the Sullivan Award — but she is remembered less for that brilliance than for the fall that ended her 1984 Los Angeles Olympics race in tears.. Several of her American records from the 1980s remained unbroken decades later, and she is remembered as one of the most talented and star-crossed distance runners of her generation.
Famous For
Middle Distance Runner
Legacy
Lasting Impact
One of America's greatest middle-distance runners despite Olympic heartbreak
Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- World champ 1500m & 3000m 1983
Career Journey
Timeline
1972
📌 Professional athletics debut as teenager
1982
🎯 Set world record in 5000m
1983
🏆 World Champion 1500m and 3000m double gold
1983
🎯 Set multiple world records in middle distances
1984
🎯 Controversial fall in Olympic 3000m final with Zola Budd
1985
🎯 Set world record in indoor 2000m
1988
🎯 Olympic semifinal appearance in 1500m and 3000m
1996
🎯 Final Olympic appearance at age 37
American Athletes