LaTasha Jenkins facts for kids
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women's athletics | ||
Representing  United States |
||
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2001 Edmonton | 200 m |
LaTasha Jenkins (born December 19, 1977) is an American former track and field sprinter. She was a very fast runner who won several international medals. LaTasha earned a silver medal in the 200 meters at the 2001 World Indoor Championships. She also won another silver medal at the 2001 Outdoor Championships.
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Early Life and College Success
LaTasha Jenkins was born in Chicago. She went to Oak Lawn Polaris High School. Later, she attended Ball State University. She studied English and counseling psychology there.
At Ball State, LaTasha was an amazing athlete. In 1999, she won the NCAA 200m title. This was a huge achievement. It was the first national championship ever for Ball State women's track and field. She was also a four-time NCAA All-American. This means she was recognized as one of the best college athletes in the country.
Professional Career Highlights
After college, LaTasha was ready for the world stage. In 2001, she had a fantastic year. She won her first U.S. title indoors in the 200m race. She then earned a silver medal at the 2001 World Indoor Championships. Later that year, she finished fourth at the World Outdoor Championships.
LaTasha was also part of a special team. She helped set a world record in the 4 × 200 m relay. This happened on April 29, 2000, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team ran the race in 1 minute and 27.46 seconds. Her teammates were LaTasha Colander-Richardson, Nanceen Perry, and Marion Jones. The 4 × 200 m relay is not a common event in major championships.
Overcoming Challenges
LaTasha faced a big challenge in 1999. She had a collapsed lung while traveling. This made her miss some important races. But she worked hard and recovered in 2000. Her determination helped her return to top form.
A Unique Achievement
In 2006, LaTasha Jenkins faced a challenge regarding a sports test. She strongly disagreed with the results. LaTasha decided to appeal the findings. She fought her case and was completely cleared of all accusations. This was a very rare and important victory. She is the only athlete in history to win such a case against the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) also agreed with the decision.
Hall of Fame
LaTasha Jenkins' amazing career was recognized in 2009. She was inducted into the Ball State University Sports Hall of Fame. This honor celebrates her incredible achievements in track and field.
See also
In Spanish: LaTasha Jenkins para niños
