At the 1984 Summer Olympics, in the individual 100 metres, Brown and American teammate Jeanette Bolden charged out to the lead, only to be overtaken by world record holder Evelyn Ashford, with Brown clearly taking the silver medal.

[6] Later, the U.S. relay team won the gold medal beating Canada by over a second, the greatest winning margin in the event's history.

This was due to a very strong team which included all three U.S. sprinters that made the 100 m final and Brown's superb start.

By the time she handed over to Sheila Echols (2nd Leg), she had caught and was passing the Bulgarian athlete in the next lane.

It was superior basic speed and sheer talent that won the U.S. their second consecutive gold in this event.