Marie-José Pérec facts for kids
Pérec at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival
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| Born | 9 May 1968 Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe, France |
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| Years active | 1984–2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 10+1/2 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 132 lb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country | France | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 200 metres, 400 metres | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Marie-José Pérec, born on May 9, 1968, is a famous French athlete. She was a sprinter, which means she was very fast at running short distances. Marie-José won three gold medals at the Olympic Games. She was born in Guadeloupe, a French island, and moved to Paris when she was 16.
Contents
Marie-José Pérec's Athletics Career
Early Olympic and World Championship Success
Marie-José Pérec first competed for France in the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. She ran in the 200 metres race and reached the quarter-finals. Her first big win was in 1991 at the World Championships in Tokyo. She won the gold medal in the 400 metres race. She won this same title again in 1995 at the World Championships in Gothenburg.
In 1992, Marie-José won her first Olympic gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. This was for the 400 metres event.
Double Gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics
At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Marie-José Pérec did something amazing. She entered both the 200 metres and 400 metres races. She won gold medals in both events! This was only the second time in history that a woman had won both the 200 metres and 400 metres gold medals at the same Olympics. Valerie Brisco-Hooks was the first to do it in 1984.
Marie-José won the 400 metres race in a record time of 48.25 seconds. This made her one of the fastest women ever in that event. For many years, she was ranked as the third-fastest woman in the 400 metres.
Other Major Wins and Challenges
Besides her Olympic and World titles, Marie-José also won two gold medals at the European Championships in Helsinki in 1994. She won the 400 metres race and was part of the team that won the 4 × 400 metres relay.
The two gold medals at the 1996 Olympics were her last big international wins. In 1997, she focused on the 200 metres. However, she had to pull out of the World Championships due to a thigh muscle injury. In 1998, she was diagnosed with a serious illness, which meant she had to take a break from competing until the next year.
Withdrawal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics
In July 2000, Marie-José Pérec competed in a 400 metres race for the first time since 1996. She finished third. However, she later decided to withdraw from the 200 metres and 400 metres events at the 2000 Sydney Games. She explained that she had faced difficulties and felt pressured in Australia.
Marie-José Pérec officially retired from competitive athletics in June 2004. She was 36 years old.
Life After Athletics
Education and Community Work
After retiring from sports, Marie-José Pérec went to a top French business school called ESSEC. She earned a Master's degree in Sports Management in 2007.
She is also a member of the 'Champions for Peace' club. This group includes over 70 famous athletes who work to promote peace around the world through sports. This club was created by Peace and Sport, an international organization.
In October 2012, Marie-José Pérec was chosen as the president of the athletics governing body in Guadeloupe.
Public Appearances and Olympic Role
Marie-José Pérec has appeared on French television. She participated in the French reality music show Mask Singer.
On July 26, 2024, Marie-José Pérec had a very special role at the 2024 Summer Olympics opening ceremony in Paris. She and judoka Teddy Riner lit the Olympic cauldron, marking the official start of the Games.
Family Life
Marie-José Pérec's partner is Sébastien Foucras, a French freestyle skier. They have a son named Nolan, who was born on March 30, 2010.
Awards and Recognition
Sporting Honors
Marie-José Pérec was recognized as the French Champion of Champions by the sports newspaper L'Équipe in both 1992 and 1996.
In November 2013, she was inducted into the IAAF Hall of Fame. This is a special honor for athletes who have made a huge impact on track and field.
National Recognition
On October 9, 2013, Marie-José Pérec received a high honor from the French government. She was awarded the Officier de la Légion d'honneur by French President François Hollande. He described her as "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.
Personal Best Running Times
Marie-José Pérec achieved impressive times in her running career. Here are some of her best performances:
| Event | Time (seconds) | Wind (m/s) | Date | Venue | World Ranking |
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| 100 m | 10.96 | +1.2 | 27 July 1991 | Dijon, France | 43rd |
| 200 m | 21.99 (FR) | +1.1 | 2 July 1993 | Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France | 21st |
| 400 m | 48.25 (FR), (OR) | 29 July 1996 | Atlanta, Georgia | 4th | |
| 400 m hurdles | 53.21 (FR) | 16 August 1995 | Zürich, Switzerland | 20th |
- FR = French record (the fastest time ever by a French athlete)
- OR = Olympic record (the fastest time ever at the Olympic Games)
See also
In Spanish: Marie-José Perec para niños
