Grete Waitz née Andersen (born October 1, 1953) is a former Norwegian marathon runner who won nine New York City Marathons between 1978 and 1988. She also won a silver medal at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Typical outdoor red rubber track For the American League baseball team based in Oakland, California see Oakland Athletics. ... Audio samples composed by John Williams: Olympic Fanfare (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Olympic Theme (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Problems playing the files? See media help. ... Modern day marathon runners The word marathon refers to a long-distance road running event of 42. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1953 (MCMLIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link is to a full 1953 calendar). ... Modern day marathon runners The word marathon refers to a long-distance road running event of 42. ... Late in the 2005 marathon, on Central Park West near the finish line. ... Audio samples composed by John Williams: Olympic Fanfare (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Olympic Theme (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Problems playing the files? See media help. ... Nickname City of Angels Location Location within Los Angeles County in the state of California Government Country State County United States California Los Angeles County Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D) Geographical characteristics Area  - City    - Land    - Water  - Urban 1,290. ...

Background

Born in Oslo, Norway, Waitz was a talented youngster in athletics, but had difficulty in getting her parents to take her potential profession seriously. This was a time when female athletes were not given the necessary support and funding needed to compete at the top level. However, Waitz did run at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich in the 1500 metres, and to support her athletic career she studied at a teachers college. County Oslo NO-03 District Viken Municipality NO-0301 Administrative centre Oslo Mayor (2004) Per Ditlev-Simonsen (H) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 224 454 km² 426 km² 0. ... Typical outdoor red rubber track For the American League baseball team based in Oakland, California see Oakland Athletics. ... The 1972 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XX Olympiad, were held in Munich, West Germany, from 26 August to 11 September 1972. ... Munich (German: München, (pronounced listen) is the capital of the German Federal State of Bavaria. ...

Career

In 1975 Waitz broke the 3000 metres world record twice, but she was gradually upping her distance until she found marathon-length races to be most comfortable for her. It was in 1978 that her association with the New York Marathon began; she won the race nine times and broke the world record three years in a row. Other successes came in the IAAF World Cross Country Championships, which she won five times (1978-1981 and 1983), and the London Marathon, which she won in 1983 and 1986. IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international Cross country running. ... Crowds turn out on the Victoria Embankment to watch the London Marathon 2005 Fun runners surge out of the Blackfriars Bridge underpass onto the Victoria Embankment; four hours down and two miles to go The London Marathon is a marathon race that has been held each year in London since...

Unfortunately, Olympic success eluded her. Norway was one of the countries that decided to boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. At the 1984 Summer Olympics she was beaten by Joan Benoit and placed second. She did win a gold medal however at the 1983 World Championships in Athletics in Helsinki. For months before the Olympic Games, runners relay the Olympic Flame from Olympia to the opening ceremony. ... Badge, released in the USSR The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, were held in Moscow, USSR. Another candidate in the bid to organize the Olympics was Los Angeles. ... Moscow (Russian: Москва́, Moskva, IPA: ) is the capital of Russia and the countrys principal political, economic, financial, educational and transportation center, located on the river Moskva. ... Audio samples composed by John Williams: Olympic Fanfare (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Olympic Theme (1985) ( file info) 1984 Summer Olympics, Los Angeles Problems playing the files? See media help. ... Joan Benoit Samuelson (born May 16, 1957) is an American marathon runner who won gold at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. ... The inaugural World Championships in Athletics were run under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations and were held at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland between August 7 and August 14. ... Province Southern Finland Region Uusimaa Sub-region Helsinki City manager Jussi Pajunen Official languages Finnish, Swedish Area  - total  - land ranked 342nd 185. ...

After Retirement

Although not competing at the top level, Waitz still runs in and organises corporate races in which she aims to give advice and information on distance running and health. She also does charity work, particularly for the CARE International and the International Special Olympics. In June 2005 it was publicly known that she was undergoing treatment for cancer. Also Coached Liz McColgan. Cooperative for Assistance and Relief Everywhere (CARE) is one of the largest private international humanitarian organizations in the world, with programmes in over 72 countries. ... Postage stamp Special Olympics is an international organization that helps people with intellectual disabilities develop self confidence and social skills through sports training and competition. ... When normal cells are damaged beyond repair, they are eliminated by apoptosis. ... Elizabeth McColgan, usually known as Liz McColgan, (born March 24, 1964) is a former Scottish long distance track and road running athlete. ...

Legacy

Waitz is widely acknowledged as helping to promote marathon and long-distance running for women. In Norway she is a sporting legend, with an annual race named after her in her honor. The New York Road Runner's Club annually sponsors "Grete's Great Gallop," a half-marathon, in her honor. There is also a statue of her outside the Bislett Stadium in Oslo, and she has been featured on a set of stamps. Coached Liz McColgan. County Oslo NO-03 District Viken Municipality NO-0301 Administrative centre Oslo Mayor (2004) Per Ditlev-Simonsen (H) Official language form Neutral Area  - Total  - Land  - Percentage Ranked 224 454 km² 426 km² 0. ... Elizabeth McColgan, usually known as Liz McColgan, (born March 24, 1964) is a former Scottish long distance track and road running athlete. ...