Lee Evans
Track and Field

Lee

Evans

Olympian 1968

  • 2

    GOLD

  • 0

    SILVER

  • 0

    BRONZE

Athlete Bio#

Lee Evans

Age

Died (Aged 74)

1947-2021

Hometown

San Jose, CA

Education

Overfelt High School (San Jose, Calif.) San Jose State University

Quick Facts
  • Was a Fulbright Scholar at San Jose State University where he graduated in 1970
  • Served as head cross country coach and assistant track coach at San Jose State from 1970-72
  • Directed the national track and field programs of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and Qatar from 1975-97
  • Coached six Olympic medalists, five from Africa and one from Saudi Arabia
  • Named a 100 Gold Olympian at the Olympic Games Atlanta 1996.
Olympic Experience
  • 1-time Olympian; 2-time Olympic medalist (2 gold)
    • Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, gold (4 x 400m Relay - Men, 400m - Men)

Born in Madera, California, Lee Evans went undefeated during his high school track career and ran for the San Jose State University track team, winning five Amateur Athletic Union titles and the 1968 NCAA title in the 400-meter. Evans went on to win gold medals in the 400 race and the 4x400 at the Olympic Games Mexico City 1968, where he became the first person to break 44 seconds in the 400. Evans began his coaching career as a cross country and track coach at San Jose State University and later directing the national track and field programs of Nigeria, Saudi Arabia and a number of other countries. Evans was the sprinting coach for the All-African team at the first world cup in 1977, but eventually returned to the United States to join the University of South Alabama and University of Washington coaching staffs. He was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1983.

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