‘84 Olympic Champion Ashford Honored With USOC’s Kane Award

Evelyn Ashford, a five-time Olympian who won the 1984 Olympic 100-meter gold medal, was presented with the inaugural Robert J. Kane Award by the United States Olympic Committee on Wednesday at the U.S. Olympic Festival.

The annual award honors an athlete who has distinguished himself or herself in Olympic Festival competition and who has continued to support athletics.

Kane, who died in 1992 at age 81, was president of the USOC from 1977-81 and the creator of the Olympic Festival.

Ashford set a world record in the 100 meters at the 1983 Olympic Festival at Colorado Springs, Colo., and won seven festival medals during appearances in 1981, 1982, 1983 and 1986. In addition to her Olympic gold medal in 1984, Ashford won a silver medal in the 100 meters in 1988 and has won three gold medals in Olympic relays.

Ashford lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Ray. The Ashfords have one daughter, Raina Ashley.