About Kathy McMillan
Born 1957. Kathy McMillan is an American athletics competitor.
Catherine "Kathy" Laverne McMillan (born November 7, 1957) is a retired American athlete, who mainly competed in the long jump.
McMillan was born in Raeford, North Carolina. She competed for the United States at the 1976 Summer Olympics held in Montreal, Canada, where she won the silver medal in the Women's Long Jump event as an 18-year-old. She attended Tennessee State University.
While competing for Hoke County High School, in Raeford, North Carolina she set the still standing NFHS National High School Record in the Long Jump of while participating in the Jack in the Box Invitational at UCLA on June 12, 1976. She was a four-time NCHSAA state champion in the long jump, and also won multiple state titles in both the 100 and 220 yard dash.
McMillan qualified for the 1980 US Olympic team in the long jump, but was unable to compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. She did however receive one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes.
In 2021 she was elected into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Kathy McMillan's
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kathy McMillan?
American long jumper
When was Kathy McMillan born?
Kathy McMillan was born on 7 November 1957 in Raeford.
What is Kathy McMillan's occupation?
Kathy McMillan is an athletics competitor.
What nationality is Kathy McMillan?
Kathy McMillan is American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Kathy McMillan. https://biography.guide/kathy-mcmillan/
MLA: "Kathy McMillan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/kathy-mcmillan/.
Chicago: "Kathy McMillan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/kathy-mcmillan/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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