The running world has lost a legendary athlete.
Nine-time New York City Marathon champion Grete Waitz, a Norwegian runner who won a silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, lost her six-year battle with cancer.
The 57-year-old passed away early Tuesday morning at a hospital in Norway.
She amazingly won her first New York City Marathon in her first attempt at running the distance! More amazingly, she set a world record in the process with her time of 2 hours, 32 minutes, and 30 seconds!
Norwegian Athletics Federation president Svein Arne Hansen said
“Grete is in my eyes one of the greatest Norwegian athletes of all time. Not only through her performances in the sport, but also as a role model for women in sports.”
She has made an impact on not only female athletics, but the running world in general that will be remembered for years to come.
Our hearts go out to her family and friends that have suffered such a great loss and wish them the best.
RIP, Grete!
[Image via AP Images.]
