Gabriela Andersen-Schiess

Gabriela " Gaby " Andersen - Schiess ( born Shooting; born May 20, 1945 in Zurich ) is a Swiss former middle and long distance runner.

She went in 1963 as a ski instructor to Sun Valley, Idaho, and married a U.S. citizen, which they received dual citizenship. In 1972, she won the Swiss championship in 3000 -meter run. In 1973 she vice - champion in 1500 and 3000 meters and in cross-country running. In the same year, Andersen - Schiess in Braeunlingen a Swiss best performance in the marathon on, one for women then young discipline. 1977 and 1978 they improved the best time in the marathon in Seattle.

After a pause she began again in 1982 with the marathon running. She won the 1983 Twin Cities Marathon ( Minneapolis -Saint Paul ) and on December 4 the California International Marathon ( Sacramento ), where she set a new national record in 2:33,25 hours. In the same year she ran in 33:29 minutes Swiss record already in the 10 - km race and in 1984 they improved the Swiss fastest time in the half marathon on 1:15,29 hours.

1984 Marathon woman was admitted to the program at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles for the first time. The 39 -year-old Andersen - Schiess had run 20 marathons so far and started the only Swiss. At kilometer 36, it was still in 20th place, but then missed the last drink station. She reached the stadium dehydrated and exhausted stumbled on the last lap. For the 500 meters at the Coliseum, which had run into one and a half minutes, the winner Joan Benoit, it took almost seven minutes, but refused any medical help. Then you crossed the finish line 37th and collapsed; In the following supply a body temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius was noted. Later, there was discussion about whether the judges and doctors would have been obliged to take Andersen - Schiess out of the race. However, they recovered relatively quickly and were already twelve hours later interviews.