Athletics at the 1984 Summer Olympics - Women's marathon

The official results of the Women's Marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California (USA), held on August 5, 1984. It was the first ever marathon for women in the history of the Olympic Games. The race started on 08.00h local time. A total number of 44 athletes completed the race, with Eleonora Mendonca from Brasil finishing in last position in 2:52:19. There were fifty competitors from 28 countries. Six of them did not finish.

Joan Benoit (USA) took an early lead and stretched her six second lead at five km to 51 seconds at 15 km. The second pack included Grete Waitz (NOR), Lorraine Moller (NZL), Sylvie Ruegger (CAN), Lisa Martin (AUS), Priscilla Welch (GBR), Ingrid Kristiansen (NOR), and Rosa Mota (POR). Benoit extended her advantage to nearly two minutes by 25 km and won the gold medal by 1:26 over Waitz. Mota finished strongly for the bronze medal ahead of Kristiansen.

The race is still remembered for the stunning entrance in the Olympic Stadium of Gabriela Andersen-Schiess from Switzerland. She was dehydrated, and dragged herself toward the finish line for the last 400 meters. To many the Swiss runner became a symbol of courage, although she finished in 37th place.

Final Rankings

ee also

* 1982 Women's European Championships Marathon (Athens)
* 1983 Women's World Championships Marathon (Helsinki)
* 1986 Women's European Championships Marathon (Stuttgart)
* 1987 Women's World Championships Marathon (Rome)
* 1988 Women's Olympic Marathon (Seoul)
* 1990 Women's European Championships Marathon (Split)

References

* [http://marathoninfo.free.fr/jo/munich1972.htm Marathon Info]