Pérec, Marie-José (1968– )

Guadeloupean-born French athlete. She won the gold medals for both the 200 metres and 400 metres at the 1996 Olympic Games, a feat previously achieved only by Valerie Brisco-Hookes of the USA. She was also the first woman to retain the 400-metre title.

Career highlights

Olympic Games gold 200 metres 1996; gold 400 metres 1992, 1996

World Championships gold 400 metres 1991, 1995

After two years of injury and illness she made her return to competitive athletics at a 200-metre race in Finland, in July 1999. She controversially pulled out of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, just days before the start, claiming a stranger had confronted her in her hotel room.