American · Greenwood, Mississippi, USA · Born 6 July 1960American sprinter who became the first athlete of either sex to win Olympic gold in both the 200m and 400m at the same Games, at Los Angeles 1984.
Born on 6 July 1960 in Greenwood, Mississippi, Valerie Brisco moved with her family to the Watts neighbourhood of Los Angeles as a child. She took up running in tribute to her older brother Robert, who was shot and killed by a stray bullet while practising on his high school track, and was given a biography of Wilma Rudolph by her coach at age 15 to inspire her. Brisco-Hooks won the 200m title at the 1979 AIAW Championships and helped the U.S. 4x100m relay team win gold at the 1979 Pan American Games, coming under the guidance of coach Bob Kersee, who trained her alongside Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Florence Griffith-Joyner. After taking 18 months away from the sport following the birth of her son, she returned to elite form ahead of the 1984 Olympics. At the Los Angeles Games, Brisco-Hooks became the first American woman to break 50 seconds for the 400m at the U.S. trials, then went on to win Olympic gold in both the 200m (21.81) and 400m (48.83), both Olympic records, becoming the first athlete in Olympic history, male or female, to win gold in both events at the same Games. She added a third gold in the 4x400m relay, becoming the first American woman to win three golds at a single Olympics since Wilma Rudolph in 1960. Brisco-Hooks competed again at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, finishing fourth in the 400m and winning silver in the 4x400m relay alongside Florence Griffith-Joyner. Her 1984 400m time of 48.83 still ranks among the fastest in history.
Becoming the first athlete of either sex to win Olympic gold in both the 200m and 400m at the same Games
How They Played
Powerful, versatile sprinter equally strong over 200m and 400m
Lasting Impact
One of only two women, alongside Wilma Rudolph, to win three athletics golds at a single Olympics
American Athletes