Farmer-Patrick’s 400H record earns her USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Sandra Farmer-Patrick (Austin, Texas) set an American record in the women’s 400m hurdles on June 17, 1989 and was voted by fans as winner of the 13th USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week award. In the absence of competition during the Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking a weekly look back at some of the great efforts by American track and field athletes through the years.
 
Farmer-Patrick, who was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame last December, clocked a 53.75 at the University of Houston’s Robertson Stadium to win the U.S. Outdoor Championships. Her time clipped almost a half-second off the existing record, set by Judi Brown-King two years previously. It was the fastest time in the world at that point and ranked her No. 9 on the all-time performer list. She lowered the AR to 53.37 later that summer as part of an undefeated season that saw her ranked No. 1 in the world.
 
An Olympic silver medalist in 1992 and a World Championships silver medalist in ‘93, Farmer-Patrick ended up with a best of 52.79. After retiring from competition, she has remained involved in the sport at several levels.
 
Other historical performances of note from the June 8-14 period in USATF history:
 

• June 15 — Parry O’Brien World record in men’s shot put, 18.69m/61-4 at Los Angeles, California in 1956
• June 16 — Glenn Cunningham World record in men’s mile, 4:06.8 at Princeton, New Jersey in 1934
• June 18 — Nan Gindele World record in women’s javelin, 153-4 at Chicago, Illinois in 1932
• June 19 — Janell Smith American record in women’s 440y, 54.3 at New York City in 1965
• June 20 — Hal Connolly World record in men’s hammer, 71.26m/233-9 at Walnut California in 1965
• June 21 — John Pennel World record in men’s pole vault, 5.44m/17-10.25 at Sacramento, California in 1969

 
Now in its 19th year, USATF’s Athlete of the Week program is designed to recognize outstanding performers at all levels of the sport. USATF names a new honoree each week and features the athlete on USATF.org. Selections are based on top performances and results from the previous week.
 
2020 Winners: January 9, Miranda Melville; January 16, Paul Perry; January 23, Natosha Rogers; January 30, Tyler Day, February 6, Devin Dixon; February 13, Elle Purrier; February 20, Tori Franklin; February 27, Sandi Morris; March 4, Abdi Abdirahman; March 12 Marielle Hall; March 19, Tim Tollefson; April 2, Louise Ritter; April 9, Francie Larrieu Smith; April 16, Erin Gilreath; April 23, Suzy Powell; April 30, Joe Dial; May 7, Dawn Ellerbe; May 14, Ramona Pagel; May 21, Brian Oldfield; May 28, Jackie Joyner-Kersee; June 4, Jesse Owens; June 11, Mary Decker Slaney; June 18, Leroy Burrell; June 25, Sandra Farmer-Patrick.
 
We welcome your nominations!
 
To nominate an athlete for USATF Athlete of the Week, please send a detailed email about his/her performance to communications@usatf.org.
 
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