Jacqui Parker

Jacqueline Parker (born 15 October 1966) is an English former athlete who competed in the 400 metres hurdles. She represented Great Britain at the World Championships in 1991 and 1993. She won the 1991 UK title and the 1993 AAAs title.

Career

Parker was a member of the Essex Ladies Athletics club (now Woodford Green with Essex Ladies). In 1983, she won the AAAs National Under 17 title in the 400 m hurdles, running 62.37.[1] Her senior breakthrough came in 1990 when she finished second at the AAAs National Championships in 57.43, behind Gowry Retchakan's 57.14. This performance earned her selection for the European Championships in Split, where she ran 56.84 in her heat to reach the semi-finals. In her semi-final she ran 57.06, failing to reach the final.

Parker won her first senior national title in 1991, winning the UK Championship title in 57.64.[2] A month later, she again finished second to Gowry Retchakan at the AAAs Championships, running a lifetime best of 56.15 secs to earn World Championship selection. At the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo, she was eliminated in the heats in a disappointing 57.81.[3]

She began the 1992 season by finishing third at the UK Championships behind Retchakan and Louise Fraser, running 56.99. She then narrowly missed Olympic selection by finishing fourth at the AAAs Championships, which incorporated the Olympic trials. With Sally Gunnell (who won the sprint hurdles at the trials) already assured selection, there were two places available in the 400 m hurdles. The race was won by Gowry Retchakan in 55.04, with Australian Gail Luke second in 56.25. The final Olympic place went to Louise Fraser, as she edged out Parker 56.30 - 56.35. Parker was named as an Olympic reserve.

Parker finished second at the 1993 UK Championships in 57.14, behind Gowry Retchakan. She then won the AAAs title with a time of 58.14, earning selection for her second World Championships. At the 1993 World Championships in Stuttgart, she ran 56.93 in her heat to reach the semi-finals, where she was eliminated running 56.68.[4] She then finished second at the 1994 AAAs Championships, once again behind Retchakan, 57.14 - 57.31, to earn selection for the 1994 European Championships in Helsinki. At the Europeans, she was eliminated in the heats with 57.83.[5] A few weeks later, she reached the final at the Commonwealth Games in Victoria, finishing sixth in 56.72.

Achievements

All results regarding 400 m hurdles.

Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing  Great Britain /  England
1990 European Championships Split, Yugoslavia 13th (sf) 57.06 (56.84 in heat)
1991 Universiade Sheffield, United Kingdom 4th 56.93
World Championships Tokyo, Japan 23rd (h) 57.81
1993 World Championships Stuttgart, Germany 23rd (sf) 56.68
1994 European Championships Helsinki, Finland 19th (h) 57.83
Commonwealth Games Victoria, Canada 6th 56.72

(#) indicates overall position in qualifying heats (h) or semifinals (sf).

References

  1. ↑ "AAAS Junior Championships (women)". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "UK Championships". GBR Athletics. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  3. ↑ "Women 400 m hurdles World Championship 1991". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Women 400 m hurdles World Championship 1993". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  5. ↑ "Women 400 m hurdles European Championship 1994". Todor 66. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
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