Devers, Gail (1966– )

US athlete. In the 1990s Devers dominated both the 100-metre sprint and 100-metre hurdles. She was the second woman to win the 100-metre sprint at two Olympic Games, winning consecutive golds in 1992 and 1996. She did not compete in 1989 and 1990 because of Graves disease, a thyroid abnormality that caused her feet to swell so much she was within days of having them amputated. At the 1993 World Championships, she completed the sprint/hurdles double.

Devers had a dramatic fall in the 100-metre hurdles final at the 1992 Games when she fell at the last hurdle having been in contention to win the race.