Marlene Elejarde

Marlene Elejarde Díaz (also spelled Elejalde, June 3, 1951 – April 29, 1989) was a Cuban sprinter and hurdler. She made history at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City by helping Cuba secure a silver medal in the 4 × 100-meter relay. Elejarde achieved multi-medal dominance on the regional stage, notably sweeping three gold medals in the 100-meter hurdles, pentathlon, and the 4 × 100-meter relay at the 1970 Central American and Caribbean Games. Her career ended when she died in a car accident in April 1989 at the age of 37.

Early life and career She was born on 3 June 1951 in Marianao, Ciudad de La Habana.

Her first Olympics were in the 1968 Summer Olympics, where she won the silver medal at 43.3 seconds in the 4 × 100 meters relay with Fulgencia Romay, Violeta Quesada, and Miguelina Cobián, losing to the team from the United States of America in 42.8 seconds, consisting of Barbara Ferrell, Margaret Bailes, Mildred Netter, and Wyomia Tyus. In the third place, followed by the Soviet Union in 43.3 seconds, consisting of Lyudmila Zharkova, Galina Bukharina, Vera Popkova, and Lyudmila Samotesova. At the event, she also competed in the 80 meters hurdles but only placed 4th in heat 2 of round 1 in three rounds

Death She died in a car accident on 29 April 1989.

International competitions

Personal bests 100 metres – 11.83 (1976) 80 metres hurdles – 10.99 (1968)