Slaney’s 5K record earns her USATF Throwback Athlete of the Week honors

INDIANAPOLIS -- Mary Decker Slaney (Eugene, Oregon) set an American record in the women’s 5,000m on June 1, 1985 and was selected as winner of the eleventh 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.

Twice a world champion and three times an Olympian on the track, Slaney set her 5,000m PR and an AR with a 15:06.53 in the rain at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene. It was her season debut and her first race since the famed encounter with Zola Budd at the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. Slaney broke her own national record, set in 1982, by more than a second as she led from the gun, and was on world record pace at the halfway point.

Elected to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2004, Slaney was a medalist in the world elliptical cycling championships in 2012-15.

Other historical performances of note from the June 1-7 period in USATF history:
 

• June 2 — Max Truex American record in men’s 5,000m, 13:49.6 at Compton, California in 1962
• June 3 — Hollis Conway American record in men’s high jump, 2.38m/7-9.25 at Provo, Utah in 1989
• June 4 — Wes Santee World record in men’s 1,500m, 3:42.8 at Compton, California in 1954
• June 5 — Al Cantello World record in men’s javelin, 86.04m/282-3 at Compton, California in 1959
• June 6 — Sheila Hudson American record in women’s triple jump, 13.78m/45-2.5 at Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1987
• June 7 — Brian Sternberg World record in men’s pole vault, 5.08m/16-8 at Compton, California in 1963

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.

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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