Phyllis Francis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Phyllis Francis

Francis at the 2016 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1992-05-04) May 4, 1992 (age 33) Queens, New York
Residence	College Station, Texas
Height	5 ft 11 in
Weight	157 lbs
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	Sprinting
College team	University of Oregon
Club	Nike Running
Turned pro	2014
Coached by	Vince Anderson
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	400 m: 49.61 200 m: 22.50 800 m: 2:04.83
Medal record Women's track and field Representing  United States Olympic Games Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4 × 400 m relay World Championships Gold 2017 London 400 m Gold 2017 London 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2019 Doha 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2015 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay World Relay Championships Gold 2015 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2017 Nassau 4 × 400 m relay Pan American Junior Championships Gold 2011 Miramar 4 × 400 m relay Bronze 2011 Miramar 400 m NACAC Championships in Athletics Bronze 2018 Toronto 200 m

Phyllis Francis is an amazing American athlete who competes in track and field events. She was born on May 4, 1992. Phyllis is best known for her incredible speed in sprinting. She won gold medals at the 2017 World Championships in both the 400 meters race and the 4 × 400 meters relay.

Phyllis's Early Life and College Years

Phyllis Francis went to Catherine McAuley High School (Brooklyn) before attending the University of Oregon. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2014.

Setting Records in College

While at the University of Oregon, Phyllis became a record-holder. She set the American and Collegiate indoor record for the 400-meter race. She broke a record that was held by Olympian Francena McCorory since 2010. Phyllis achieved this when she won the 2014 NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship. She was the first woman from the University of Oregon to win a 400-meter National NCAA Championship.

Phyllis's Professional Career

After college, Phyllis became a professional athlete. She has competed in many major international events.

Competing at the 2016 Olympics

In 2016, Phyllis Francis competed in the 2016 United States Olympic Trials (track and field). She finished second in the 400 meters race with her best time of 49.94 seconds. This earned her a spot on the United States team for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

At the Olympics, she placed fifth in the women's 400 meters final. She then helped her team win a gold medal in the 4 × 400 meters relay event.

Becoming a World Champion in 2017

The year 2017 was a huge one for Phyllis. At the 2017 World Championships in London, Great Britain, she became the 400 meters world champion. She beat strong competitors like Allyson Felix, who was the defending world champion, and Shaunae Miller-Uibo, the Olympic champion.

Phyllis ran the race in 49.92 seconds, which was a new personal best time for her. Just four days later, she won her second gold medal. She was the anchor runner for the US women's 4 × 400 metres relay team, leading them to victory.

More International Success

Phyllis has continued to achieve great things in her career. She has won several medals in other important international competitions.

• In 2011, she won a bronze medal in the 400 meters and a gold medal in the 4 × 400 meters relay at the Pan American Junior Championships.
• She won gold medals with the 4 × 400 meters relay team at the World Relays and World Relays.
• At the 2015 World Championships, she earned a silver medal in the 4 × 400 meters relay.
• In 2018, she won a bronze medal in the 200 meters at the NACAC Championships.
• Most recently, at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar, she set a new personal best in the 400 meters with a time of 49.61 seconds, finishing fifth. She also won another gold medal with the 4 × 400 meters relay team.

See also

In Spanish: Phyllis Francis para niños