Ximena Restrepo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ximena Restrepo

Personal information
Full name	Ximena Restrepo Gaviria
Born	(1969-03-10) 10 March 1969 (age 56) Medellín, Colombia
Education	University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Height	1.75 m
Weight	58 kg
Sport
Country	Colombia  Chile
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	100 metres 200 metres 400 metres 400 metres hurdles 4×100 metres 4×400 metres
College team	Nebraska Cornhuskers
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	1992 Summer Olympics
Medal record Representing  Colombia Women's athletics Olympic Games Bronze 1992 Barcelona 400 m Pan American Games Silver 1991 Havana 200 m Silver 1991 Havana 400 m South American Games Gold 1994 Valencia 400 m Gold 1994 Valencia 400 m hurdles Gold 1994 Valencia 4×100 m relay Bolivarian Games Gold 1985 Cuenca 200 m Gold 1985 Cuenca 4×100 m relay Gold 1985 Cuenca 4×400 m relay

Ximena Restrepo Gaviria, born on March 10, 1969, in Medellín, Colombia, is a famous former sprinter. She was known for her amazing speed, especially in the 400 metres race. She is a citizen of both Colombia and Chile.

She made history at the 1992 Olympic Games by winning a bronze medal in the 400 meters. This was Colombia's very first medal in athletics at the Olympics! Her time of 49.64 seconds in that race is still a South American record. She also holds the South American record for the 200 metres, with a time of 22.92 seconds from 1991. At the 1991 Pan American Games, she won two silver medals in the 200 and 400 meters.

Early Life and Training

Ximena Restrepo showed great talent for running from a young age. She trained hard to become a top athlete. Her dedication helped her compete in many important races around the world.

She attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the United States. While there, she continued to excel in athletics. In 1991, she won the NCAA Championship in the 400 meters. This was a big achievement for her college career.

Olympic and Pan American Success

Ximena Restrepo is best known for her historic bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. This moment was very special for Colombia. It showed that athletes from her country could compete with the best in the world.

She also had great success at the Pan American Games. In 1991, she earned two silver medals. These were for the 200-meter and 400-meter races. She continued to win many medals throughout her career.

Family and Legacy

Ximena Restrepo is married to Gert Weil, a famous Chilean shot putter. They are both well-known athletes. Their daughter, Martina Weil, has also become a successful track and field athlete.

Martina Weil competes in the 400 meters, just like her mother. She won the 400 meters at the South American U23 championships. She also set a new Chilean national record in the event. In 2023, Martina won a gold medal in the 400 meters at the Pan American Games. This shows how athletic talent can run in the family!

A Leader in World Athletics

After her running career, Ximena Restrepo continued to be involved in sports. She now lives in Chile. On September 25, 2019, she made history again. She became the first woman to be elected vice-president of World Athletics. This is a very important role in the world of track and field sports. It means she helps lead the organization that governs athletics globally.

Major Achievements

Ximena Restrepo won many medals during her career. Here are some of her most important achievements:

• 1992 Olympic Games: Bronze medal in the 400 meters.
• 1991 Pan American Games: Silver medals in the 200 meters and 400 meters.
• 1994 South American Games: Gold medals in the 400 meters, 400 meters hurdles, and 4x100 meters relay.
• 1985 Bolivarian Games: Gold medals in the 200 meters, 4x100 meters relay, and 4x400 meters relay.
• She also won many gold and silver medals at other championships. These included the South American Junior Championships and the Ibero-American Championships.

See also

In Spanish: Ximena Restrepo para niños