seoul 1988 womens 4x100 meter final.

[lastwalkerz]

if flo jo was the last runner,i think they had broken the world record yet.

Evelyn run too slow at the beging,

flo jo much faster then her,why dont let flo jo be the last runner ?

[manforU100]

The Best Anchor leg we've ever seen!!!

[nfguzmanjr]

Ashford looked like she was shot out of a canon. The best anchor I've ever seen.

[demonchildking]

I was stuck on the couch sick watching this race. Just graduated and was a sprinter through high school. I love track dearly and have seen many great races on tv in my life. Here it is 23 years later and I still get goose bumps on my arms watching this woman HANDLE HER BUSINESS in this race!! She is one of the greatest BEASTS of all time!!

[VibeFly]

Thank you for posting 3748359 but Dear Lord, can anyone put up a better quality footage of this race?? This is worse then the Olympic footage of 1930s thru 1970s Is there some kind of legal rights on posting something of quality??

[Znie1]

For these very good sprinters(Brown,Echols,Griffit­h and Ashford 41.98s is a not real good time,they came from the Trials in Indianapolis with very! good results and with world record!I thougt the would break the Olympic Record from 41.60s,but it wasnt,now these 41.60s is still the 10th best time ever run!!

[Marchjoy1963]

If you would like a clear posting of this race... go to 1988 Olympics Women's Relays, and it is much clearer. Evelyn's anchor leg was 10.06 to Ghor's 10.26 here, slower than her anchor in LA which was 9.77.

[Znie1]

if you know the personal best times from the us-sprinters (Brown 10.91,Echols 10.83,Griffith 10.49,Ashford 10.76s the 41.98s is a very weak result

[CHEETAH69]

@Znie1 You're exactly right. there's no reason for a team with 4 runners ALL running well under 11, to run damn-near 42. This should have been won with a low 41 or even high 40.

[Parker528]

@Heimar23 what was 9.82? Flo Jo's leg on the 4 x 100?? How were you able to get that info? Is it on the official International Olympic Committee website or something? Is it still only an estimate, since it is a "running" start? 9.82 is amazing, especially since her hand off from Sheila wasn't so great, & then she nearly ran into Evelyn, b/c of going so fast, and it messed up the exchange a little...but what a beautiful moment to see Evelyn grab that stick and go all out after a little bit

[avanbens]

I will never forget this race unbelieveable. It looked like we were completely out of it when Evelyn ran them down to win. If anyone has a clear post of this race please post it. It truly deserves to be fully seen.

[Parker528]

@avanbens To avenbens: In taped that Olympic race in '88; it's still on VHS and is in good condition; the one posted here is so out of focus; as soon as I get the ability to record my VHS to DVR I will make a posting and email you on it; but not sure when that will be; but watching that anchor leg clearly is just unbelievable; she just explodes after like 20 meters or so and goes into a zone..awesome

[avanbens]

@Parker528 I can't wait to see you post the clear version of this race buddy. Please by all means let me know when get around to doing.

[Parker528]

@avanbens Will do! Have to buy some new electronics first!

[twannifufu]

Still one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen.

[keywestchris]

Evely Ashford has been the BEST Women's Sprinter of All Time....Hands Down!!!!!

[twannifufu]

I 1000% agree.

[htownhomie06]

this is my alltime favorite olympic track relay race. the USSR, GDR & USA were all even on paper & 2 see Ashford run down Gohr was epic.

[Parker528]

I agree! I have this on VHS tape, and seeing Evelyn tear down that track is awesome!

[ranhill]

:44

Watch Ashfords initial burst to catch up with the leaders. After that she maintains her turn-over rate and high end speed to get the victory. Classic.

[camberra1985]

evelin fuiste siempre la pesadilla dermis idolos -las alemanas orientakes-pero a vos te admiro-no a florence friffit-esa si que se drogo en durante 1988

[tietajajoshua]

STATISTICS CALCULATION - from

BR-0 com/olympics htm

[bzach71]

Evelyn Ashford is always the elegant sprinter. Elegant elegant elegant. and please not...not at all muscular like current sprinters.

[Ras09true]

Do you know WDC is larger than the entire Jamaica.which means as a 3rd world country,doesn't posses the expertise and resource to even develope drugs like first world nations.for Ja athletes to be doping they would be using drugs that are not known likeBalco balco balcobalco

[Ras09true]

Bolt is no fly by nighrt.he's world junoir record holder at 200m at01 19.93 done as a raw 16 yo country kid without any real coaching.world junior champion.he just never ran the 100.he also did 45.4 as a 16 yo.anytime he takes the 400 seriously and train for it,its going to be worries.Mj never went under 20s until he was about Bolt's age,imagine that.

[Ras09true]

Sanya Richard was born inJamaicaan,so too Debie dunn,linfod cristie,donavan bailey and Ben Johnson,who was corrupted by those around himcorruoted after he left.Jamaica is the only country I know who's anthem is a lords prayer.listen to it,were blessed.

[Ras09true]

Jamaica had Herb Mackenly,auther wint back in the D50s,then Donald Quarrie who was a wr holder at 200,Bert Cameron,Deon hemings at S400h,Lourane Fentan at S400 ,you all know Ottey.History doesn't die.now people like Bolt and Fraser ,Powell and Campbell are around.look at Germany,who has 4x1 wr,theirs died,it wasn't real.

[Ras09true]

Jamaicans are suddenky good because the rigid drug testing is weeding out the dioers dopers and Balco was exposed,take the wool from over your eyes.;Jamaicans were always good,but was overshadowed by dopers.

[muc390]

Evelyn Ashford the best American sprinter in history!

[sonatural21]

@muc390 i definitely agree......im jamaican but i dig ashford.

[Shutupunk]

Suddenly the whole jamaican team is Good!!! In Every event??!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me guess they came across a training secret??!!!! LllllllllMmmmmmmmmAaaaaaOooooo­o!!!!!!!!

[sivromes]

Jamaicans were ALWAYS good! Its just our time to shine now that EVERYBODY ELSE has backed off in their drug use. Just natural God-given talent......none a that stuff Flo-jo was taking!!

[Yellowbird74]

@sivromes: The fact that the Jamaicans are suddenly dominating the sprints seems very suspect to me. They just came out of no where beating everyone and setting WRs. Usain Bolt couln't beat Tyson Gay or Asafa Powell just months before Beijing and then suddenly he's winning every race and setting one WR after another. Natura talent my butt. It's just a matter of time before he and the rest of the team is exposed.

[JamTrackStar788]

jealous!

iaaf is and the american case yall are cheaters

jamica is the best

[Shutupunk]

The whole Jamaican team is suddenly untouchable!!!??? Let me guess they came across a training secret!!!LlllllllMmmmmmmmAaaaa­aaaaOoooooo!!!!!!!

[Shutupunk]

Bens kidneys are fucked!! People are cheating with undetectable shit nowadays... They will get caught!!! Trust Me

[Shutupunk]

The only advice u can take from a cheater is how to cheat... They were on horse tranqulizers!!! Bens eyes were yellow as the sun.. Lmao.. Flo Jo retires a few months after Olympics= Cheater!!!!!!

[englishman1960]

Was Evelyn Ashford the fastest ever female that never cheated,that is the question?

[jonathanbirchley]

How about leaving aside the dope speculation. Concentrate on Evelyn Ashford. What an athlete, for my money rhe best female sprinter .... ever. Not so big, she didnt have the power to blast away from the blocks, but nobody else ever ran down Gohr like that.

[lanceweb15]

I agree 100% with you my friend, and the only athlete I've seen that can come and win a race at the last minute she's bad

[Shutupunk]

Charlie Francis which was Ben's coach has been linked to her.. I have my facts straight.. Bob kersee trained her mainly..

[mitchell4000]

Bob was not her coach. Her husband was her coach. Bob coached Jackie, Valerie Brisco-Hooks, and Gail Devers.

[Shutupunk]

Flo Jo was a third place runner at best in 84'... Her and ben Johnson had same trainer in 88.. Ben got caught she didn't!! .. She set a record 21 years ago that hasn't been touched yet.. The men have ran well under Ben Johnson's steroid record.. I think we all know Flo Jo was suspect.. She retired right after olympics!! Hello who gets on top and Retires??!! Defend your title once or something...

[mitchell4000]

Get your facts straight Flo and Ben never had the same coach or trainer

[mitchell4000]

Once again WRONG. Flo Jo's coach was her husband, which was Jackie's brother. She never was coached by Charlie Francis. She asked Ben Johnson how did he improve and he gave her his workout. And, I doubt he stated..."take this drug with it."

[mikemaga2]

I remember watching this live on TV. It was one of the greatest moments in sports history in my opinion. I remember Flojo struggling with great heart behind the East German who looked about a foot taller. Then Evelyn Ashford did the impossible and tore past everybody. On TV, they had a face on shot of Ashford finishing with all the determination - she would not be denied! God, it was beautiful.

[ranhill]

Yes, I remember this relay to. FloJo was behind, and gave a bad hand off. It was all Ms. Evelyn after that. In my opinion, the best race of her career.

[rmrooster01]

Flojo wasnt a steroid user, she was a class act. Her trainer and husband of Jacki Joyner Kersee , Bob Kersee is also a class act and never been involved in illegal performance enhancing. People say that because Flojo died young of a heart attack that is evidence of steroids. NO! There all kinds of possibilities. Dont assume anything. Innocent until proven guilty.

[karrtt1234]

rmrooster01 - you need to get your facts straight. If there was ever a more blaytant drug cheat that the east germans it was Florence and her coach Bob Kersee has been linked , involved, named... sighted ..etc all up in steriods... just read... just because the dubin inquiry only happened in Canada doesn't mean that it was only Ben Johnson that took drugs ... you need to read the transcripts... it will wake you up ... Bob Keerse athletes were all cheats... Jackie, Valerie, Gail.. Flo, Pam ..

[kennesaw1]

karrt1234, where do you get your information from? And where do you come off implying that it is any more reliable than anybody else's. The one thing I am sure about is that Flojo has never failed a drug test. And she has taken several of them. The "fact" is your allegations are steeped in opinion and hearsay evidence - with nothing to back it up. Be careful about presenting such damaging statements as fact wihout concrete proof. Peace to you.

[Marchjoy1963]

The transcripts(of the Dubin Inquiry) and even all over the web, there is proof of the drug taking of Bob Keerse and his athletes and the sharing of imformation about what meets would be testing and so on so if you have concrete proof to disproof it do so.... and stop acting as if other people don't know what they r talking about !!! There is no opinion or hearsay in what karrtt1234 has posted !

[Znie1]

@Marchjoy1963 If you know the personal best times about 100m from all four women 1988 the 41.98s is a very weak time!!

[KayBlaze03]

Gail Devers was never a cheat. So let's get that straight.

[mitchell4000]

oh please. the germans started this mess. i love how everyone is trying to change history and dump drug usage in the USA. the Germans did this in swimming along with track and field. if american athletes used drugs it was years of being cheated on the field. it is truly documented on the germans. show me one test on the people you name. you can't sorry liar.

[twannifufu]

Thank you! The Germans were infamous for drug usage, ESPECIALLY the women. Have seen the way they looked? Also, Marita Koch has had botched and/or suspicious drug test results in her time. No woman has ever come close to her 47.60, and that's not because of lack of training.

[mitchell4000]

It was horrendous in both track and swimming. It all started in the mid-seventies. Look at the competition now.  You rarely see a german or russian in a sprint final. why is that?

[atlfine]

so true....evelyn is the greatest female sprinter of all time....she was clean.... i think she gave birth to her second child around the age of 45...around 2003-2004.....flo-jo was a big cheat and she payed for it with her life

[twannifufu]

one of the most beautiful things i have EVER seen! i love me some evelyn ashford. favorite female sprinter of all time!

[Prickler32]

Evelyn kicked some serious ass in that race. She was wonderful!

[Julzellis]

Hey Kennesaw.. I agree with you. Same reason why Bolt ran 3rd leg in Beijing. He's simply the best curve runner. and 37.10 WR proves it.

[Julzellis]

NO Russians got run down too> SHe pulled her hammy after Ashford had blown by her.

Furthermore, Flojo should have been achor!

[stevie586]

Technically, yes, but, for hand-offs it was best they did the race this way. Flo-Jo was use to running third leg and was good at it. Plus, although Flo-Jo was one helluva sprinter, Ashford definitely has tons more experiences than Flo-Jo with what she needed to do on anchor, than Flo-Jo. Ashford was one helluva runner...

[kennesaw1]

I respectfully disagree. The USA team played it exactly right. Flojo ran third leg because she was a better turn runner. Evelyn Ashford was a great, experienced runner who didn't panic when she was handed the baton while behind.

[ranhill]

I must commend the Russian. She continued to run after the hammy pull and held on for the bronze. Most would have crumbled to the track in a heap writhing agony.

[bzach71]

Yup..i bet she would have overtake Goehr for silver if not for the hamstring. She ran 10.97 in the final 100m where as Goehr only manage 11.08 in semi. Her name is Natalia Pomoschnikova.

[stevie586]

Evelyn really pulled through for us in this race! She was such a classy and humble athlete.

[ozinmanc]

Does anyone think that the Russians could have won this if Pomoshnikova hadn't pulled her hamstring?

[bzach71]

nope..but she will definitely helped the russian into second ahead of GDR. Ashford is too fast for Pomoshcnikova, but she's faster than Goehr - i'm very sure.

[kennesaw1]

No. I agree with Bzach71. Evelyln Ashford had made up the stagger and was clearly about to pass Pomo when she pulled her hammy. In fact I think the (Russian?) sprinter would have passed Pomo as well.

[Parker528]

I don't think so, based om Ashford's split, compared to Pomoshnikova's flat start. Ashford was just TOO in the zone to be beat. In my opinion!

[camberra1985]

que te paso-FLO-FLO- venias se marcar 10,49(100) y 21,34(200) y relevo fue un ASCO- menos mal que estaba EVELIN ASFORDS sino no ganaban(PRGUNTO POR QUE NO TE DIERON EL REMATE)creo que sabian que se ta habia pasado el efcto de lo que tomaste Y NO TE LO QUISIERON DAR- por sabian que ya nada podias hacer-POR ESO TE RETIRASTE-

[JusticeerBR]

DOPPING Joyner rides again!!

"Oh man, can't you see

Is the dopping in me

Lalala, lalala..."

[drbayoms]

What proof do you have? And it's "doping" not DOPPING you dumb dick.

[camberra1985]

que dudoso tu relevo-flo-flo todo el terreno que perdiste(por que no te habran dado el remate de la posta)por algo habra sido el triunfo se lo deben a asford y nada mas

[1hotandsmartman]

the question is if flo jo is so good why did she not run anchor i thought the fastest women runs anchor?

[CHUNKEY70]

Noy necessarily. Depends on the team.

[CHEETAH69]

Flo jo was the fastest. No doubt. But she was chosen to run the 3rd leg because that's the leg she had run so many times before for the US. It was a mistake.The two fastest runners should be on 2nd and anchor. That's a loooong backstretch and it makes sense to have your stronger runners there. The US almost lost this because of that mistake. Thank God for Evelyn.

[ranhill]

Of all the legs in a relay, the third requires the most skill because of the curve. Flo may indeed have been the fastest, but due to her running the 200 as a specialty, and this leg in the relay for years, was the best curve runner. A lot of times, you will see 200m runners run the second leg also because its a long stretch. U. Bolt, A. Felix, W. Spearmon come to mind. In the end though, whatever it takes to win.

[Parker528]

@1hotandsmartman the best doesn't EVER necessarily need to be the anchor, in many sports that have relays!! In US swimming internationally, coaches have very oten put the fastest girl 2nd to secure such a lead as to give the anchor, usually 2nd fastest, enough room to win; in men's swimming, esp in Australia, they are KNOWN for going from fastest to slowest,. in that order in the 800 free relay; it gives them such a huge lead that other teams are right away out of the race..its called strategy

[stevie586]

You can't really go by splits. The distance can be shorter, the speed at which you were already moving before receiving the baton, etc., can all play a role.

[dicklacock]

FLO JO

[ozinmanc]

The Soviets might have won this had Pomoshnikova not pulled her hamstring while passing Gohr. Anyone know why Torrence wasn't included on the American team?

[CHEETAH69]

ozinmanc, Torrence wasn't on the relay cuz she couldn't connect with Alice Brown. They kept trying and trying and later decided to go with Sheila Echols. Torrence was pissed and went home.

[ozinmanc]

Thanks for that matey. I had always assumed that she must have injured herself during the 200m final and wasn't able to compete, but you've solved one of lifes mysteries for me.

[Parker528]

Thanks for that bit of info; I ALWAYS wondered why Torrence wasn't in that final, and that fact is never mentioned in David Wallechinsky's Summer Olympics history book that details each event in each sport. Thanks.

[sheri7881]

@CHEETAH69 That's not true Alice brown was the one they decided to go with Sheila Echols was the top four on the Relay team

[CHEETAH69]

@sheri7881 Sheila EVENTUALLY was chosen because Torrence couldn't get out fast enough from Brown. Sheila finished 5th in the 100 at the trials (I believe). While Torrence was 3rd. She was pretty much guaranteed a spot. Unfortunately, she had problems completing the exchange.

[sheri7881]

@CHEETAH69 Wrong again Sheila finish 4th i'm her sister so i would know!!!!

[CHEETAH69]

@sheri7881 I could allow for Sheila finishing 4th. I even qualified my statement by saying, "I believe." So I wasn't stating it as fact. But Torrence WAS supposed to run on the relay. She couldn't because of her inability to connect. I know this because I can read.

[CHEETAH69]

@sheri7881 Well perhaps you were too young to recall what ACTUALLY happened. Because Gail didn't run on this team. It was Brown, Echols, Joyner to Ashford.

[sheri7881]

@CHEETAH69 i meant to say alice brown but i was not to young back then ..Alice brown finish 5th and we have new paper clippins .. why are you so concern about this anyway .. alice brown was only a stand in Sheila Echols time was faster then alice brown back then so look it up Sheila was 4th in the tryouts and Alice was 5th so go look it up...

[CHEETAH69]

@sheri7881 I'm not "So concerned" about this. I'm responding. So are you. And I never contested the placings. I wasn't sure. You say Echols beat Brown. That's cool. It's not even the issue here. We're talking about Torrence, who finished 3rd. But was NOT on this relay.

[Parker528]

@CHEETAH69 I recently heard that the reason Torrence was replaced with Echols all had to do with sloppy baton passing on Torrence's part; but at least she got to shine with a solid anchor in Atlanta!

[metsdudenj]

@sheri7881 Alice Brown had the fastest reaction time of all of the sprinters and for that reason she was put as lead off on the relay. She ran a brilliant semi final and that is why she was in the final. Torrence kept fucking up the exchanges in practice so they canned her.

[lacheyrulez]

It was either 8.5 or 9.8 but it was faster than 10 seconds, she would have gotten these times in her 100m sprint but she always slowed off to the end.

It is possible for women to do that

LOVE FLORENCE

[use2slam2]

the best time ever is bob hayes, 8.6 hayes also ran and won the 100m in 10.06 on what was basically loose dirt. i always wonder what he would have run on todays tracks and he established all his records before the age of 22 including being the first man to cover 60 yds in under 6 sec. he ran 5.9

amazing!!

[maddymoocow101]

in the 100m, coz asafa powell is the fastest man ever in the 100m, running 9.74 seconds, so it can't be that guy, coz asafa holds the world record too, bsides iv never heard of bob hayes, maybe coz im only 13 but still, asafas the best

[Parker528]

buy this book for some history on the Olympics & especially track & field events. The Complete Book of the Olympics by David Wallechinsky. It does describe in the track & field section, in the 2008 edition of the book, on page 177, where Hayes was way behind in 5th place when he took off for his anchor leg and ran off & into first place within 30 yards!!! Which is amazing. The SLOWEST estimate for his flying start was 8.9 seconds Go buy or rent book & learn about history and Bob Hayes.

[twannifufu]

Bob Hayes if very underrated in the world of Track and Field, in my opinion. In the sole year he ran track he managed to set two world records in one Olympic. Both situations were quite crappy situations.

[Parker528]

@use2slam2 yeah, amazing...btw, that Bob Hayes anchor time, is the SLOWEST estimate from the hand timers on his running start on anchor; at least according to Olympic historian David Wallechinsky......I wish I could see coverage of that anchor!

[ranhill]

Yes, FloJo has the records, but Ash has no clouds lingering over her long career. Remember, Ash was 5th at 19 years old in '76 Olympics, missed '80 due to the (very stupid) boycott, then won gold in '84 at age 27. Then 4 years later at age 31 runs the best womens anchor EVER to strike gold one more time before saying goodbye.

[lukezclay]

Ashford also ran at the 1992 Olympics. She ran the lead leg of the 4 x 100 and took gold there!

[ranhill]

You are absolutely correct. How could I not remember that? I guess she was moving so fast, I didn't see her!

[ranhill]

Yes, you are correct. How could I forget Ashford running lead leg in '92. I'm soooo ashamed. :-(

She was still fast. So much so the second leg underestimated Ashfords speed and Evelyn had to slow down and stabilize the girls arm (that was pure experience!) to give leg two the baton.

[mitchell4000]

Well even beyond Ashford there was a ton of young women in America that had to compete with the steriods of Germany. Ashford, Cheeseborough, Valerie Brisco Hooks, Flo Jo and several others.

[ranhill]

I remember that race as Evelyn Ashfords best ever: on the down side of her great career, running the anchor, getting a bad exchange from FloJo, taking the baton trailing in third, and wins the race going away. Also, the runner in lane 4 deserves a lot credit for continuing to run after she blew her leg out and I think medaling.

[lukezclay]

Evelyn Ashford kept her head cool and just relaxed her way through to the finish line. You can see the other two ladies straining and tightening, and that's what made the difference. Ashford is arguably the best female sprinter ever.

[ozinmanc]

Pomoshnikova did more than tighten, she pulled her hamstring!

[lacheyrulez]

In this relay Florence ran a wonderful record of 8.5 in her leg.

[soccerbadmint]

are you serious?? didn't look super fast.

[Parker528]

that is VERY incorrect for Flo JO's split.....do some research

[Parker528]

Just so you know, go to David Wallechinsky's book, "The Complete Book of the Olympics", 2008 edition, rent or buy, & go to page 177, and read the authors description of Bob Hayes incredible anchor leg, where he left for his anchor in 5th place, and got into the lead after only 30 yards, and won.  The SLOWEST estimate for his flying start anchor was 8.9. Slowest. In 1964. Flo Jo did NOT go that fast in this relay; otherwise in this book, Wallechinsky would address such a fast relay leg.

[atlfine]

you are right...flo-jo didnt run as fast as she did in the individual sprints...Evelyn saved the US on this relay

[brooklynboi89]

yes evelyn did her thing but florence griffith is the best female sprinter with her record still unbroken in the 100m

[daunit87]

greatest anchor leg ever in u.s. womens track

[soccerbadmint]

You guys are all right...EVELYN IS THE BEST!!! she was in str8 HAWK-MODE! sh looked like she was flying and i KNOW she didnt take any steroids...she was just really blessed! love her.

[iliveinbedford]

the germans were cheats but ashford put them in there place

[avanbens]

I will never ever forget this race because it looked like we were completely out of it, but Evlyn with her strong powerful little legs pulled this one out like you wouldn't believe wow. A true sprinter in every since of the word. No need for steroids with speed and talent like she had. I will never forget this race thanks so much for posting it.

[soccerbadmint]

YES!

[bzach71]

Yes....ashford i think is the best US female sprinter and i really relish the competition that she had with the german girls. The GDR made a mistake in that relay...they didnt include Dreschler who is the bronze medallist in the 100m. GDR always put (almost) the same runner for their relay...Gladisch in first leg, Aurswald lange in third and Gohr in anchor - no matter how bad Gohr actually performed....ahh...memories..:­)

[miloandtock1]

SO nice to Evelyn come from a meter or so down and whip Marlies Gohr's butt! I so enjoyed seeing this as it happened in 1988!

[jepsst]

great relay of evelyn ashford, florence griffith joyner