Jeanette Bolden facts for kids
Bolden (#357) at the 1984 U.S. Olympic trials
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| Born | January 26, 1960 Los Angeles, California |
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Jeanette Bolden, born on January 26, 1960, is an American athlete who competed in the Olympic Games. She was a fast runner, especially in the 100-meter race. Later, she became a successful coach for a college track and field team. Jeanette also co-owns a famous bakery in Los Angeles, known for its delicious sweet potato pies.
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Jeanette Bolden: An Olympic Sprinter
Jeanette Bolden was a talented sprinter who represented the United States. She competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, California. At these games, she won a gold medal.
Winning Olympic Gold
Jeanette was part of the 4 × 100 meters relay team. Her teammates were Alice Brown, Chandra Cheeseborough, and Evelyn Ashford. Together, they ran incredibly fast and won the gold medal for their country. Jeanette also competed in the individual 100-meter race. She finished in 4th place, which is a great achievement at the Olympics.
Overcoming Challenges
Throughout her life, Jeanette Bolden has dealt with asthma. This is a condition that can make breathing difficult, especially during intense exercise. Despite this, she continued to excel in her sport. Her running career ended in 1988 due to a serious injury. She hurt her Achilles tendon during the Olympic Trials. This was a very sad moment for her and her coach.
College Life and Studies
Before becoming a professional athlete, Jeanette went to college. She first attended California State University, Northridge. Later, she transferred to UCLA, a well-known university. She graduated from UCLA in 1983.
From Athlete to Coach
After her running career ended, Jeanette Bolden found a new way to stay involved in athletics. She decided to become a coach.
Starting as an Assistant Coach
Jeanette began her coaching journey as an assistant coach at UCLA. She worked under her former coach, Bob Kersee. From 1994 to 2012, Coach Bolden helped many young athletes. She trained over 50 sprinters, hurdlers, and relay runners at UCLA. These athletes became "All-Americans," which means they were among the best college athletes in the country.
Leading as a Head Coach
After her time at UCLA, Jeanette Bolden became the head track and field coach for the University of Central Florida (UCF). She led their team until she retired at the end of 2017. Her coaching skills were recognized on a national level. In 2008, she was chosen to be the head coach for the United States Olympic women's team.
Recognizing Achievements
Jeanette Bolden's amazing career as an athlete and coach has been honored.
UCLA Hall of Fame
In 2022, Jeanette Bolden was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. This special honor recognizes athletes and coaches who have made a huge impact on UCLA sports. It celebrates her dedication and success in track and field.
See also
In Spanish: Jeanette Bolden para niños
