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Posted: Monday November 29, 1999 02:30 PM
Use the menu below to read our biographies of the century's greatest sportswomen and then tell us who you think should be No. 1. Also, be sure to check out our expanded home page and our new issue which is on newsstands now.
1958-
Set 36 U.S. and 17 world records
Decker Slaney could smile in the face of adversity. Heinz Kluetmeier |
Born in Bunnvale, N.J., Decker began running at age 11. Within two years, she had clocked a 4:55 mile and set an age-group world record in the 800 meters. Decker clearly showed the potential to be a champion, but her coaches were concerned that she pushed herself too hard. Decker's unwillingness to slow down resulted in a string of injuries, starting with the stress fractures in her lower legs which caused her to miss the 1976 Montreal Olympics.
In 1980 -- after recovering from surgery and spending two seasons at the University of Colorado on a track scholarship -- Decker set four records in the Olympic trials before the U.S. announced its boycott of the Games in the Soviet Union. Having no choice but to shelve her disappointment, Decker began looking ahead. In 1982, she was the fastest woman at every distance between 800 and 10,000 meters. In recognition of her achievements she was honored with the Sullivan Award as the nation's best amateur athlete of the year. In 1983, at the first-ever World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, she had gold-medal finishes in both the 1,500 and 3,000-meter races. In both 1982 and '83 Decker was the Women's Sports Foundation's Amateur Sportswoman of the Year and in 1983 she was named the Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year.
At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, Slaney -- who held seven American records at the time -- was considered a shoe-in to medal in the 3,000 meters. At the midpoint of the race, however, Decker began jostling for position with Zola Budd, South Africa's barefoot wonder. Budd ended up accidentally tripping Decker, who crashed to her hands and knees. Once she had rolled to the infield of the track, Decker writhed in pain in a near fetal position and -- with the only energy she could muster -- limped off to the showers, spurning Budd's efforts to apologize.
In 1985, Decker married British discus thrower Richard Slaney and returned to form on the track, setting a new world record in the mile. She qualified for the 1988 Seoul Games but was not a featured performer, and in 1992 failed to advance past the U.S. Trials for Barcelona. Though Decker Slaney took nearly three years off to heal various injuries, including stress fractures, by the time the Olympic Games came to her home country in 1996, her 5'6", 108-pound body was showing the effects of a life spent running. After approximately 20 leg, foot and ankle operations, Decker Slaney competed in the Atlanta Games at the age of 38. She finished seventh in her 5,000 heat and failed to advance.
They said it: "I've always got such high expectations for myself. I'm aware of them, but I can't relax them." --Decker Slaney
-- Jamie MacDonald
Athletes were selected by Sports Illustrated For Women, Sports Illustrated and CNN/SI editors, writers and correspondents who considered the athletes' on-field performance and achievements, plus their contributions to women's sports. Because athletic achievement was a key criterion, women whose contributions were made solely in administration and coaching are not included.
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