Phyllis Francis
Phyllis Chanez Francis is an American track and field athlete who runs the 400 meters. She was born on May 4, 1992, in Queens, New York. She went to Catherine McAuley High School in Brooklyn and attended the University of Oregon, graduating in 2014.
In college, she made history by becoming the first Oregon woman to win the 400 meters at the NCAA Championships. She also set the American and college indoor record in the 400 meters, breaking Francena McCorory's 2010 mark while winning the 2014 NCAA indoor title.
Her 400 meters personal best was 49.94 seconds, set at the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials, where she finished second. She then represented the United States at the 2016 Rio Olympics, placing fifth in the 400 meters final and winning a gold medal as part of the 4×400 meter relay team.
In 2017, Francis became the world champion in the 400 meters at the World Championships in London, clocking 49.92 seconds, a personal best at the time. Four days later, she helped the U.S. win the gold medal in the 4×400 meter relay.
Francis has continued to compete and win medals with U.S. relay teams in various world and regional championships.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 03:41 (CET).