Joanna Hayes facts for kids
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Hayes on Right
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| Birth name | Joanna Dove Hayes | |||||||||||||||||||
| Born | December 23, 1976 Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Sport | Track & Field | |||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| Updated on July 7, 2012. | ||||||||||||||||||||
Joanna Dove Hayes is an American athlete who became famous for running over hurdles. She was born on December 23, 1976, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Joanna won a gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens for the 100 metres hurdles race.
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Who is Joanna Hayes?
Joanna Hayes is a talented American track and field athlete. She is best known for her amazing skills in hurdle races. Hurdles are races where athletes jump over barriers while running. Joanna has competed in many big events around the world.
Early Career and Achievements
Joanna started her journey in track and field at a young age. While attending John W. North High School in Riverside, California, she was already a star. In 1995, she won both the 100 meter hurdles and 300 meter hurdles at the CIF California State Meet. She even set a new record for the 100 meter hurdles at that event. Because of her success, she was named the national Girl's "High School Athlete of the Year" by Track and Field News.
After high school, Joanna received a scholarship to compete for UCLA. She continued to excel in her sport.
Specializing in Hurdles
Joanna first focused on the 400 metres hurdles. This race is longer and has more hurdles than the 100-meter event. She earned a silver medal at the 1999 Summer Universiade. She also won a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games. She competed in the World Championships in 1999 and 2003.
From 2004, Joanna started competing in the 100 metres hurdles. This shorter, faster race became her main event. She placed fourth at the 2004 World Indoor Championships.
Olympic Gold Medal
The biggest moment in Joanna's career came in August 2004. She competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She won the gold medal in the 100 metres hurdles. This was a huge achievement for her and her country. Her winning time was 12.37 seconds, which was her best time ever. Later that year, she also won the 2004 World Athletics Final.
Later Career and Coaching
In 2005, Joanna was one of the top athletes expected to win at the World Championships. She made it to the final race but unfortunately stumbled and could not finish. She still managed to finish third at the 2005 World Athletics Final.
After 2005, she faced some challenges. She had an injury that prevented her from qualifying for the 2008 Olympics.
Even after her competitive career, Joanna stayed involved in track and field. She became a coach, helping other athletes achieve their dreams. She was an assistant coach at UCLA from 2014 to 2016. Before that, she coached at Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, California.
From 2017 to the 2024 season, she worked as an assistant coach at the University of Southern California. She was also named Athletic Director for Track and Field and Cross Country there. Joanna even coached famous professional runner Sydney McLaughlin from 2018 to 2020.
Personal Life and Recognition
Joanna is the daughter of Ted Hayes, who is known for helping people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. She also has a daughter named Zoe, who was born in December 2010.
On October 11, 2014, Joanna Hayes was honored for her achievements. She was inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame. This is a special recognition for athletes who have made a big impact at UCLA.
Awards
- Night of Legends Award 2024: USATF Nike Coach of the Year
See also
In Spanish: Joanna Hayes para niños
