Biography
Gail Devers loved to run, even as a young child. Tired
of losing impromptu races against her older brother, Parenthesis
(nickname “PD”), she started training on her own. Once
she beat him, he would never race her again, but for Gail
it was the start of a long, successful career, though one
full of personal challenges and triumphs.
Heavily recruited as a high school standout, Gail chose
to attend UCLA where she was a national standout in the
100m dash and 100m hurdles, breaking the American record
in the 100m hurdles as a senior in 1988. (She broke the
record again in 2000, a mark that still stands today.)
1988 was also the year that saw Gail qualify for her first
of five Olympic Games as well as face her first medical
challenge. While training for the 1988 Games in Seoul,
her health began to deteriorate. She suffered from migraine
headaches, sleeplessness, fainting spells and frequent
vision loss. What should have been a shining moment for
her as an athlete ended up being one of the most challenging
times of her life. After a series of misdiagnoses, she
was finally accurately diagnosed in 1991 with Graves’ disease,
an autoimmune condition.
While it was a relief to finally know the cause, the lapsed
time had led to more health problems in the preceding years
and she faced possible amputation of both of her feet during
this time. But between her “never say quit” attitude, medical
treatments and dedicated rehabilitation, Gail was able
to recover in time to not only qualify for the 1992 Olympic
Games, but also capture her first gold medal by winning
the 100m dash. She was also a favorite to win the 100m
hurdles at those Games and was leading the field until
falling over the final hurdle, finishing fifth.
Gail continued her winning ways the next year, winning
both the 100m dash and 100m hurdles at the 1993 World Championships,
a feat that hadn’t been achieved in 45 years. She went
on to win her second gold in the 100m dash at the 1996
Olympics where she also ran on the winning 4x100m relay.
Gail made her fourth Olympic team in 2000 where she was
expected to shine. But yet again, she would face another
health challenge. She had injured her right Achilles tendon
and left hamstring prior to the U.S. Trials. She had recovered
in time to win the 100m hurdles at the Trials in a new
American record time, but the injuries resurfaced at the
Games and she had to pull out of the race. Gail went on
to make her fifth Olympic Games in 2004, however a calf
injury suffered in training ended her Olympic hopes.
Gail continues to compete and at age 40, she won the 60m
hurdles at the 2007 Millrose Games (indoor competition).
Off the Track
Gail is an active mom to two young daughters, while also
balancing several successful business ventures, such as
coaching and advising a select group of track and field
athletes. She also gives back through personal appearances
and continues to train and compete.
After three years of misdiagnoses, Gail was diagnosed
in 1991 with Graves’ disease, a debilitating chronic thyroid
disorder that she treats with medication and a careful
diet. In 2000, she testified in front of Congress as part
of an investigation into ways to combat medical mistakes,
including misdiagnosis.
Gail’s conviction that a true champion always keeps her
chin up led her to create the Gail Devers Foundation in
1996. The foundation creates an avenue that helps fund
and inspire positive changes within communities. The foundation
offers a scholarship program for youth and implemented
a mentorship curriculum, FORCE, designed to build character
and inspire elementary students in Los Angeles.
Personal
Gail and her husband, Mike Phillips, started a family
after the 2004 Olympic Games and are the proud parents
of two daughters, Karsen Anise (6/20/05) and Legacy Brielle
(10/23/07). As the daughter of a Baptist minister, Gail
credits her faith for her optimistic approach to challenges
life throws her way.
