Chen Yueling (; born December 24, 1969 (also reported as April 1, 1968) in Liaoning, China) is now an American race walker, who became the first ever female Olympic Race walking champion in 1992 while competing for China. She was virtually tied with former Soviet, Unified Team member Alina Ivanova with 200 meters to go. Ivanova then accelerated past Chen to the finish, while Chen held form. After a short celebration, Ivanova earned a disqualification, while Chen was awarded her gold medal.
She had done mountain climbing and long-distance running before she started training at the Tieling Sports School in 1985. Spotted by Chinese walking coach Wang Kui, she joined the Liaoning provincial walking team. In 1989 she won the Asian Championships in New Delhi.
She also won the 1990 Asian Games and took silver at the 1991 Universiade. 1991 Universiade results She left China for the United States in 1994.http://knows.jongo.com/res/article/13841 Jongo
She competed for her new country at the 2000 Olympics, finishing 38th.
She has been active in charitable activities in the United States and has done professional modeling. As of 2001, she was employed as Director of Asian Marketing for the health and nutritional company, Imagenetix, Inc.
Achievements Representing 1989Asian ChampionshipsNew Delhi, India 1st48:59.86World Race Walking Cup L'Hospitalet, Spain5th44:241990Asian Games Beijing, China 1st44:471991Universiade Sheffield, United Kingdom 2nd44:33World ChampionshipsTokyo, Japan 8th44:111992Olympic Games Barcelona, Spain 1st44:32Representing 2000Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 38th1:39:36
References
External links
Profile - China Daily Official website