Episode XLIV: 3x Olympic Gold Medalist Gail Devers

The 44th edition of Whe're They At features 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist, 5-time Olympian and National Track and Field Hall of Famer, Gail Devers. Gail started running at age 15 at Sweetwater High School in San Diego (CA), as their stadium is now named after her. She went on to star as a sprinter at UCLA. After being diagnosed with Graves Disease, Gail persevered to become the most decorated American female track and field athlete of the 1990's. She is the last American woman to win the Olympic Gold Medal in the 100 meters (1992 and 1996) and she won her 3rd Olympic Gold medal in the 4x100 relay in 1996. She has competed in FIVE (5) Olympic Games (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004) and was an 8-time medalist in the World Championships (spanning eight years). Gail was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2011. She also released an inspirational book entitled, 'Gail Devers My Life In Story: Stronger' in 2014. Now, she is coaching athletes and is spokeswoman for a couple of companies. Host Nabaté Isles had the honor to speak with Gail on a plethora of topics including:  02:40-Where is Gail Devers at now? What is she up to?                                 08:10-If she was competing now, how would she have dealt with the year postponement of the Summer Olympics in Tokyo?                           12:28-Her thoughts on Simone Biles deciding not to fully compete in the Olympics Games in Tokyo.                            18:32-Gail reflects on her physical and mental health obstacles early in her track and field career, battling Graves Disease.                    25:33-She's confident that American sprinters will excel vs. Jamaican sprinters sooner than later.                         26:33-On how her parents instilled a foundation for faith and excellence.                     28:57-Her brother's influence on her athletic pursuits.                      30:22-When did she realize that she wanted to pursue track and field?                    32:03-Reflects on UCLA experiences under the tutelage of legendary coach Bob Kersee as well as being teammates with the iconic Jackie Joyner-Kersee.                          35:26-On recently running a half-marathon.                           37:04-The significance of winning the Silver medal in the 100 meter hurdles at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, coming back from Graves Disease.                         38:56-Her perspective on not winning the 100 meter hurdles in the 1992 Summer Games (Barcelona, Spain) after leading most of the race.   44:15-The memories of winning two Gold medals at the 1996 Summer Games on U.S. soil in Atlanta, Georgia.                       47:19-On how she was able to compete in FIVE Olympic Games, spanning 16 years.                       51:31-Gail's thoughts on Sha'carri Richardson's suspension and her future.                      55:02-Impressed by Allyson Felix's performance in her FIFTH Olympic Games.                     56:48-Track and Field performances that stood out to her during the Tokyo Games.                      1:00:25-SPRINT DASH segment of random questions for Gail.                            1:10:40-Does she think that Tiffany Haddish will excel in her upcoming role as the late, great sprinter Florence Griffith-Joyner?                       Follow Whe're They At on www.twitter.com/whe_retheyat, www.instagram.com/whe.retheyat  and www.facebook.com/whe.retheyatpodcast/                 Musical selections are from Nabaté Isles' album, 'Eclectic Excursions', available on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon, Tidal, etc. Check out his website: www.nabateisles.com as well as https://nsiuniversal.bandcamp.com/