Gwen Torrence

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameGwendolyn Lenna "Gwen"•Torrence (-Waller, -Smith)
Used nameGwen•Torrence
Born12 June 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia (USA)
Measurements170 cm / 57 kg
AffiliationsAthletics West/Mazda Optimists Track Club/Nike
NOC United States
Medals OG
Gold 3
Silver 1
Bronze 1
Total 5

Biography

Gwen Torrence was a three-time Olympic gold medalist, winning the 200 metres at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, and adding 4x100 relay gold medals in both 1992 and 1996. Torrence won five Olympic medals in all, with a silver in the 4x400 in Barcelona, and a bronze in the 100 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. Competing at three World Championships (1991, 1993, 1995), Torrence won eight medals, with golds in the 100 in 1995, the 4x100 relay in 1995, and the 4x400 relay in 1993. She was also a gold medalist in the 200 metres at the 1987 Pan American Games. She won three gold medals at the 1994 Goodwill Games, winning both sprints and the 4x100 relay. She also won both sprints at the 1987 Universiade.

Torrence ran for the University of Georgia in college. While in college she won an NCAA title in the 100 metres in 1987, after placing second in 1986, and won the 200 metres in 1986-87. She was US Champion outdoors in the 100 in 1992, 1995, and 1996 and the 200 in 1988, 1991-93, and 1995, while winning indoor titles in the 55 metres in 1988-89, the 60 metres in 1994-96, and the 200 metres in 1994 and 1996.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.82 (1995); 200 – 21.72 (1992); 400 – 49.64 (1992).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Gwen Torrence
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 5
200 metres, Women (Olympic) 6
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States DNS
4 × 400 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States DNS
1992 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Gwen Torrence
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 4
200 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 1 Gold
4 × 400 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 2 Silver
1996 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Gwen Torrence
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 3 Bronze
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States 1 Gold

Special Notes