Gail Devers

Gail Devers is recognized as one of the most accomplished athletes in track and field. A three-time Olympic gold medalist and nine-time World Champion in the 60 meters, 100 meters, 60-meter hurdles, 100-meter hurdles, and the 4x100-meter relay, Devers has set enduring standards in sprinting and hurdling. While attending UCLA, she won nine Pac-10 track titles and two NCAA titles, and continues to hold UCLA all-time records in the 100 meters and 100-meter hurdles, with the latter remaining a collegiate record. Her combination of speed and technical hurdling proficiency distinguished her among her contemporaries.

Devers' career was marked by significant health challenges. While preparing for the Olympic Games in Seoul, she experienced severe health issues, including migraine headaches, sleeplessness, and fainting spells, which were eventually diagnosed as Graves' disease, a thyroid disorder. The illness and its treatments left her temporarily unable to walk, and at one point, doctors considered amputating her feet due to swelling. Her recovery is noted as one of the notable comebacks in sports.

Devers returned to competition and became the second woman to defend an Olympic 100-meter title, winning gold at both the Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics. She also became the World Champion in the 100 meters, the first female sprinter to hold both the world and Olympic titles in the event simultaneously. At the World Championships in Germany, she won both the 100-meter dash and 100-meter hurdles, a rare achievement in the sport. Competing until age 40, Devers participated in five Olympic Games, set American records in the 100 meters and 60-meter hurdles, and won the U.S. title in the 100-meter hurdles 10 times.

Devers has received recognition for her resilience and longevity in athletics. She has been inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame, and received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award. Track & Field News named her the top U.S. women's athlete on two occasions, and she was honored with the Jesse Owens Award as the nation's top track and field athlete. Devers authored the memoir "Gail Devers My Life in Story: Stronger," detailing her experiences in athletics and health.

Living with Graves' disease and symptoms of thyroid eye disease for more than three decades, Devers uses her platform as a motivational speaker and advocate for autoimmune disease awareness. She supports organizations such as The Boys and Girls Clubs of America and Atlanta Track Club, sharing her story of overcoming adversity and excelling in track and field with diverse audiences.