Judi Brown Clarke


Judith Lynne Brown Clarke is an American politician and former athlete who competed mainly in the 400 metre hurdles. She is the 1984 Olympic silver medalist and two-time Pan American Games champion. She later was a member of the Lansing, Michigan City Council.

Sports career

Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Clarke won the gold medal in the 400m hurdles at the 1983 Pan American Games, narrowly ahead of her team-mate Sharrieffa Barksdale. In 1984, she won her first US national 400m hurdles title before going on to win the silver medal in the event at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, finishing behind Nawal El Moutawakel. Under her then married name of Judi Brown King, she won three more US 400m hurdles titles from 1985 to 1987 and successfully defended her Pan American Games title in 1987, finishing ahead of Sandra Farmer. She was also a twelve-time Big Ten champion in track and field events during her career. In 1987, she was selected Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine for her community involvement.

Education

Clarke holds two degrees from Michigan State University, a Bachelor's degree in Audiology and Speech Science, and a Masters degree in Education. She was inducted into the Michigan State University Hall of Fame in 1986. She holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration and Public Policy from Western Michigan University, from which she graduated with honors. She also is a member of the Michigan Even Start Statewide Family Literacy Consortium.

Political career

Clarke was elected to the Lansing, Michigan City Council in 2013 and remained in office until 2017, and unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Lansing in the 2017 election.

International competitions

All results regarding 400m hurdles