Women Who Left Their Mark On Track And Field
Track and field events have been around ever since the Greeks (and others) invented them in antiquity. Since then, they’ve become a massive global sensation, attracting competitors from all over the world.
In the modern era, women have played a prominent role in track and field events. Some have been so successful that they changed the nature of the sports in which they participated and became cultural icons.
Here are some women who left their mark on track and field in a big way.
Allyson Felix
Allyson Felix is a short-distance runner who specialized in the 200 and 400 meters. Felix has had an illustrious career, first proving herself as the second-fastest woman at the US Indoor Track and Field Championships and then going on to record the fastest time ever at the world championships in Mexico City.
In 2004, Felix won gold in the Greece Olympics. She then went on to win three gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Jessica Ennis
Jessica Ennis is a British heptathlete who shot to fame after winning gold for Britain in the 2012 London Olympic games. Ennis started competing in track and field events when she was still at school and realized that she had a knack for them. Over time, she built her physique, eventually gaining titled in both the high jump and the hurdles. Her entry into the world of heptathlons was late, but once she got there, she excelled.
Yelena Isinbayeva
Yelena Isinbayeva is one of the most successful Russian pole vaulters in history, winning gold for her country in both 2004 and 2008 and winning three world championships. She is also the only woman pole vaulter to jump over five meters.
Isinbayeva is perhaps more responsible than any woman in history to inspire others to take their Dicks coupons, buy sneakers, and start taking part in track and field events. A decade ago, she was a sensation in the news media for her incredible sporting achievements. Yelena now serves on the International Olympic Committee’s Athlete’s Commission - a rare privilege.
Ebba Jungmark
Eba Jungmark was a Swedish high jumper, well-known for her success in various European championships. She is also one of the tallest women in the discipline at well over six feet, six inches.
Ebba’s story, however, didn’t end happily. In 2013, she suffered a terrible ankle injury, which effectively put her career on hold.
Her height and physique, however, meant that she caught the eye of sports brand Adidas who now feature her in some of their commercials.
Jennifer Oeser
Jennifer Oeser was a German heptathlete who competed in the event from 2002 until the 2016 Olympic games. While she was never able to win a title at a major competition, she did consistently rank highly in the sport. Oeser was most notable for her powerful physique and ability to perform in events like the shot-putt.
In 2011, she won the bronze medal in the IAAF World Championships. The silver medal competitor, Tatyana Chernova, however, was disqualified, so she was upgraded to silver.