Marie-José Pérec facts for kids
Pérec at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 9 May 1968 Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, France |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years active | 1984–2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10+1/2 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 132 lb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 200 metres, 400 metres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Medal record
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Marie-José Pérec (born May 9, 1968) is a famous French track and field athlete. She was an amazing sprinter, known for her speed in the 200 and 400-meter races. Marie-José won three Olympic gold medals, making her one of France's most successful athletes! She was born in Guadeloupe, a French island, and moved to Paris when she was 16.
Contents
Marie-José Pérec's Amazing Athletics Career
Early Olympic and World Championship Success
Marie-José Pérec first competed for France at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. She ran in the 200-meter race and made it to the quarter-finals. This was just the start of her incredible journey!
In 1991, she won her first major title. She became the world champion in the 400-meter race at the World Championships in Tokyo. She proved her skill again in 1995, winning the 400-meter world title at the World Championships in Gothenburg.
Her first Olympic gold medal came at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. She won the 400-meter event, showing everyone her incredible talent.
Double Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta were truly special for Marie-José. She decided to compete in both the 200-meter and 400-meter races. Amazingly, she won gold medals in both events!
This was a rare achievement. Only one other woman, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, had ever won both the 200-meter and 400-meter Olympic gold medals in the same Games. Marie-José won the 400-meter race in a record time of 48.25 seconds. For a long time, this was one of the fastest times ever run by a woman in that event.
European Titles and Later Career Challenges
Besides her Olympic and World titles, Marie-José also shined at the European Championships. In 1994, at the European Championships in Helsinki, she won the 400-meter race. She also helped her team win a gold medal in the 4 × 400-meter relay race.
After her two Olympic golds in 1996, Marie-José faced some challenges. In 1997, she had a thigh muscle injury during a warm-up at the World Championships. She also got sick with glandular fever in 1998, which meant she had to take a break from competing.
Marie-José Pérec officially retired from competitive athletics in June 2004. She was 36 years old and had achieved so much in her career.
Life After Retirement from Athletics
New Paths and Public Roles
After her amazing athletics career, Marie-José Pérec decided to go back to school. She studied at ESSEC, a top business school in France. In 2007, she earned a Master's degree in Sports Management.
She is also a part of the 'Champions for Peace' club. This group includes more than 70 famous athletes who work to promote peace around the world through sports. The club was created by Peace and Sport, an international organization.
In 2012, Marie-José was chosen to be the president of the athletics governing body in Guadeloupe. This is called the Ligue Régionale d'Athlétisme de la Guadeloupe.
Olympic Cauldron Lighter
In 2024, Marie-José Pérec had a very special role at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Paris. Along with judoka Teddy Riner, she had the honor of lighting the Olympic cauldron. This is a huge honor for any athlete!
Marie-José Pérec's Family Life
Marie-José Pérec's partner is Sébastien Foucras, who is a French freestyle skier. They have a son named Nolan, who was born on March 30, 2010.
Awards and Recognition
Marie-José Pérec has received many awards for her incredible achievements.
- The French sports newspaper L'Équipe chose her as the "French Champion of Champions" in both 1992 and 1996.
- In 2013, she received the Officier de la Légion d'honneur from the French President, François Hollande. This is one of France's highest honors. The President called her "one of the most brilliant athletes in the history of French athletics." She had previously received the Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1996.
- In November 2013, Marie-José Pérec was welcomed into the IAAF Hall of Fame. This means she is recognized as one of the greatest athletes in the history of track and field.
Personal Bests: Marie-José Pérec's Fastest Times
This table shows Marie-José Pérec's best times in different running events.
| Event | Time (seconds) | Date | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 m | 10.96 | 27 July 1991 | Dijon, France |
| 200 m | 21.99 (French Record) | 2 July 1993 | Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France |
| 400 m | 48.25 (French Record, Olympic Record) | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta, Georgia |
| 400 m hurdles | 53.21 (French Record) | 16 August 1995 | Zürich, Switzerland |
- FR = French record (the fastest time ever by a French athlete)
- OR = Olympic record (the fastest time ever at the Olympics)
See also
In Spanish: Marie-José Perec para niños
