- Joan Benoit Samuelson is an American runner who won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics inLos Angeles.
- She was born on May the 16th 1957 inCape Elizabeth,Maine
- She started running after she broke her leg, to help its recovery.
- This was the exact year the women’s marathon was introduced.
- As a result she was the first ever woman’s Olympic marathon champion.
- Beniot Samuelson still holds the fastest time for an American women at theChicagomarathon and the Olympic marathon. Her time at the BostonMarathonwas the fastest time for an American at the race for over 28 years now.
