Jocelyne Villeton (; born September 17, 1954) is a French retired long-distance runner who won the bronze medal in the marathon at the 1987 World Championships. Jocelyne Villeton only occasionally practiced athletics in her teens in the 1970s. Finding herself unemployed in the early 1980s, she decided to devote herself to distance running, driven by her husband. By 1984, she was French champion in the 10,000 meters and 25 kilometers on the road. In subsequent years, she gained new titles and performed strongly in the marathon. In 1987, when she had to find employment in the municipality of Saint-Étienne, she surprised everyone by winning the very first French medal at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics with a third place in the marathon. Until 1991, she ran at the highest European level. She now lives in Saint-Genest-Lerpt, and continues to run as a veteran. She is a Knight of the National Order of Merit in 2002 and a Knight of the

Legion of Honour The National Order of the Legion of Honour (french: Ordre national de la Légion d'honneur), formerly the Royal Order of the Legion of Honour ('), is the highest French order of merit, both military and civil. Established in 1802 by Napoleon ...

in 2008.

French Championships

* 1984 : French Champion at 10 000 metres * 1984 : French Champion at 25 kilometres on road * 1985 : French Championships at 10 000 metres * 1986 : French Champion at 10 000 metres, with new French record * 1987 : French Champion at 10 000 metres * 1988 : French Championships at 10 000 metres * 1991 : French Champion at 25 kilometres on road * 1991 : French Champion at 10 000 metres * 1995 : 5th at French Championships of the

half-marathon A half marathon is a road running event of —half the distance of a marathon. It is common for a half marathon event to be held concurrently with a marathon or a 5K race, using almost the same course with a late start, an early finish or shortcut ...

International Performances

* 1984 : 25th at World Road Race 10 kilometres Championship * 1985 : Selected to World Cross Country Championship * 1985 : World Champion at 15 kilometres on road for 1985 * 1986 : 5th at 1986 European Marathon Championship * 1987 : 1987 World Championships for the marathon * 1988 : 10th at World Championships for 15 kilometres on road * 1988 : 19th at marathon of

1988 Olympic Games 1988 Olympics refers to both: *The 1988 Winter Olympics, which were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada *The 1988 Summer Olympics The 1988 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad () and commonly known as Seoul ...

* 1992 : selected to the World Championships for the semi-marathon * 1984-1995 : 25 selections for French international teams

References

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Personal website
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1954 births Living people Sportspeople from Ardèche French female long-distance runners Athletes (track and field) at the 1988 Summer Olympics Olympic athletes for France Place of birth missing (living people) World Athletics Championships medalists World Athletics Championships athletes for France Knights of the Ordre national du Mérite French female marathon runners {{France-longdistance-athletics-bio-stub