Former UCLA track and field star Gail Devers, who competed with the Bruins from 1985 to 1988, will be honored Friday at the 2009 UCLA Awards along with other famous UCLA alumni.
Devers was once known as the world’s fastest woman and is now scheduled to earn the UCLA Award in Professional Achievement.
Devers had a successful career with the UCLA track and field team, earning Pac-10 Athlete of the Year honors after her senior season in 1988, during which she set the U.S. record in the 100-meter hurdles.
In 1990, Devers was diagnosed with Graves’ disease, a disorder in which the immune system attacks the thyroid. Devers suffered from cracked, bleeding feet and was faced with the possibility of foot amputation.
Less than 17 months after the diagnosis, Devers won her first gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Devers went on to compete in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She was scheduled to race in Syndney in 2000 but pulled out because of injuries.
In her two Olympic appearances, Devers won two gold medals in the 100-meter dash and one in the 4×100-meter relay.
Devers won five other gold medals in the World Championships.
In 1999, she founded the Gail Devers Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims at leveling the playing field in health, education and community development.
Compiled by Farzad Mashhood, Bruin Sports senior staff.