800 metres Wheelchair, Women

Wheelchair racing débuted at the Olympic Games in 1984, although it had long been a feature at the Paralympics. The women raced 800 metres on the track with eight competitors. The event was won by American Sharon Hedrick in a world record 2:15.73, which was exactly five seconds ahead of Sweden’s Monica Säker in second place. Between 1976-92 Hedrick won nine medals, and five gold medals at the Paralympics, winning medals in wheelchair racing, swimming, and basketball. She would repeat as champion in this event in 1988, with an even more dominant victory. Säker would finish third in this event in 1992.