Gail Devers’s story is too remarkable to fit into a single introductory paragraph. The fastest version: elite Olympian comes down with unknown health condition, struggles at the 1988 Seoul Games, drops 79 pounds, nearly loses a foot; is diagnosed with Graves’ disease, embarks on stunning comeback, competes in two more Olympics (five total), wins three gold medals; becomes the subject of a TV movie, Run For the Dream: The Gail Devers Story.
Sha’Carri Richardson is favored to win the 100 meters Saturday. The last American woman to win the 100 meters at the Olympics? Gail Devers, at the 1996 Atlanta Games. SI spoke with Devers about the 100-meter dash, Team USA and what she’s up to now, at 53.
(This interview has been edited for length and clarity.)
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Gail Devers Q&A: It's 'Show-Out Time' for Sha’Carri Richardson, Team USA at Paris Olympics.
