Valerie Ann BRISCO-HOOKS

After her brother Robert was shot on a running track in Los Angeles, Valerie Brisco took up running in his honor. Initially a fairly unremarkable runner, she married NFL player Alvin Hooks and gave birth to a son. She then put herself through gruelling daily 12-hour training sessions, culminating in two wins at the US Olympic Trials, qualifying for the 200 and 400 m. In Los Angeles, she peaked, and won three Olympic gold medals. She became the first woman to win the 200 and 400 m at the same Olympics, and added a third gold in the relay. She never managed to reach the same level as in 1984, but won a World Championship bronze in 1987 and Olympic silver in 1988, both in the 4×400 m relay. She retired from track and field in 1991.

Personal Bests: 200 – 21.81 (1984); 400 – 48.83 (1984).