Chryste Gaines facts for kids
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| Born | September 14, 1970 (age 54) Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S. |
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Chryste Dionne Gaines (born September 14, 1970) is an American Olympic athlete. She is famous for her amazing speed in sprint races. Chryste competed for the United States in many big events, including the Olympic Games.
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Learning and School
Chryste Gaines went to South Oak Cliff High School in Dallas, Texas, and graduated in 1988. During her last year of high school, she was named the best high school girls' track and field athlete in the entire country! This was a huge honor called the Gatorade National High School Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year. After high school, Chryste studied at Stanford University and earned her bachelor's degree in 1992. Later, in 2007, she also got a master's degree from Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University.
Running on the Track
While she was at Stanford University, Chryste Gaines was a fantastic runner. In 1992, she won national championships in both indoor and outdoor sprinting events. She was the first person to win the 100-meter conference championship three times.
Chryste represented the United States at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. She was part of the 4 × 100 meters relay team that won a gold medal. Her teammates were Gail Devers, Inger Miller, and Gwen Torrence. She also competed at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Chryste was the only runner from the 1996 relay team to return. With new teammates Marion Jones, Torri Edwards, and Nanceen Perry, the American team earned a bronze medal. Chryste's fastest time in the 100 meters was 10.86 seconds, which she ran in 2003. She continued to compete successfully until 2008.
Team Challenges
Sometimes, challenges can affect a whole team. Because of a teammate's actions, the IOC tried to make the 4 × 100 relay team return their bronze medal from the 2000 Olympics. However, Chryste and her five teammates successfully appealed this decision, and they were able to keep their medals.
Awards and Recognition
Chryste Gaines received many honors throughout her career.
- In 1987–88, she was named the Gatorade National Track & Field Athlete of the Year. This award goes to one outstanding high school girl athlete each year.
- In 2009, she was recognized as one of 10 "Women Out Front" by Georgia Tech. This leadership award honored her achievements. At the time, she was an academic advisor there.
- In 2018, Chryste was chosen for the first-ever Athletic Hall of Fame class for the Dallas Independent School District. Only 10 people were selected for this special honor.
Coaching Others
After her own running career, Chryste Gaines began coaching. She has coached track and field at both high school and college levels. As of 2018, she was the track and field and cross country coach at Heritage High School in Frisco, Texas.
See also
In Spanish: Chryste Gaines para niños
