Born Nov. 23, 1952, Palo Alto, Calif.

It was once said that running was Francie Larrieu-Smith's way of life. How else could you describe an athlete whose running career spanned four decades and 35 American records in distances from 1,000 meters to two miles? During an inter-national career that lasted from 1969 until 1992, Larrieu-Smith was on 28 national teams and won 21 national titles. She was a member of five Olympic teams, starting in 1972 when she ran the 1,500 meters. She also ran the 1500 at the 1976 Games and was a team member at the same distance in 1980. She missed out on the 1984 team but ran the 10,000 at the 1988 Games, taking fifth. She moved up to the marathon for the 1992 Games. At the 1992 Games, she carried the U.S. flag at Opening Ceremonies. She has been nationally ranked in every event from 800 meters to the marathon. She also ran in the 1987 and 1991 World Championships in the 10,000.