Kim Gallagher

Summary

Kimberly Ann "Kim" Gallagher (June 11, 1964 – November 18, 2002) was an American middle-distance runner who won a silver and a bronze medal at the 1984 and 1988 Olympics.[1][2]

Kim Gallagher
Gallagher (right) in the 800m final at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Personal information
Born(1964-06-11)June 11, 1964
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.[1]
DiedNovember 18, 2002(2002-11-18) (aged 38)
Oreland, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height165 cm (5 ft 5 in)
Weight47 kg (104 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event400–1500 m
ClubPuma and Energizer Track Club
Los Angeles Track Club
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)400 m – 52.44 (1985)
800 m – 1:56.91 (1988)
1500 m – 4:03.29 (1988)[2]
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Silver medal – second place 1984 Los Angeles 800 metres
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul 800 metres

Records edit

National high school records edit

  • 800 Meters – 2:00.07
  • 3200 Meter Relay – 8:58.43 (T. Pahutski, K. Baldwin, W. Crowell, K. Gallagher)

PIAA state records edit

  • 800 meters – 2:05.47
  • 1600 meters – 4:41.08
  • 1600-meter relay – 3:49.61 (T. Pahutski, K. Baldwin, C. Woldecke, K. Gallagher)
  • 3200-meter relay – 8:58.43 (T. Pahutski, K. Baldwin, W. Crowell, K. Gallagher)

Accomplishments edit

Gallagher was a High School All-American at Upper Dublin High School, Penn Relays Champion, won twelve PIAA gold medals and was a Pennsylvania State Champion in Track & Field and cross-country. She was inducted into the Pennsylvania Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995 and into the Penn Relays Hall of Fame in 1996.[3]

In 2005, Gallagher was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Upper Dublin High School as part of the inaugural class.[4]

Personal life edit

Gallagher took up athletics following her brother Bart, who coached her in her early years.[5] In 1983, she abandoned her studies at the University of Arizona because they interfered with her training. She married John Corcoran of Oreland, Pennsylvania, where the couple made their home.

Death edit

After the 1988 Olympics, Gallagher was diagnosed with colon cancer. She refused chemotherapy and used vitamins, diet and rest as a remedy, which initially appeared effective. But the cancer reemerged in 1994. In her last years, she used a wheelchair and died from a stroke, aged 38.[1][3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Kim Gallagher". www.sports-reference.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  2. ^ a b IAAF Biographies – Kim Gallagher
  3. ^ a b Ron Reid (November 20, 2002) Olympic runner Kim Gallagher dead of a stroke The Philadelphian, who won medals in the 1984 and 1988 Games, was 38. philly.com
  4. ^ Athletic Department. udsd.org
  5. ^ "Kim Gallagher, area's best middle-distance runner ever, remembered 10 years after her death - philly-archives". August 21, 2016. Archived from the original on August 21, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2021.