(1984) Women’s marathon makes dramatic Olympic debutFemale runners get their ultimate test of endurance at the first Olympic women’s marathon in Los Angeles. The field includes Joan Benoit of the US, who wins the gold medal with a time of 2:24:52, and Switzerland’s Gabriela Andersen-Schiess, who completes the course despite suffering from heat stroke.The Women’s Marathon at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California was held on August 5, 1984. It was the first time a women’s marathon had been held at the Olympic Games. The 50 competitors came from 28 countries. 44 finished the race. The world record holder Joan Benoit of the United States won the gold medal, with the silver medal going to the 1983 World champion Grete Waitz of Norway, and bronze to Rosa Mota of Portugal.
(1984) Women’s marathon makes dramatic Olympic debut
