Perec, Marie-Jose (1968–)

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Perec, Marie-Jose (1968–)

French track-and-field athlete. Born May 9, 1968, in Basse Terre, Guadeloupe.

Hugely popular in France, won a gold medal in the 400 meters at Barcelona Olympics (1992); at European championships, won a bronze medal in the 400 meters (1990) and gold medals in the 400 meters and 4 × 400 meter relay (1994); at World championships, won a gold medal in the 400 meters (1991, 1995); won gold medals for the 200 meters as well as the 400 meters at Atlanta Olympics (1996), the 1st athlete to win a gold medal in that event at 2 successive Olympics; at the last minute, pulled out of the Sydney Olympics amid much controversy (2000).