Matthew Birir

Matthew Kiprotich Birir (born 5 July 1972) is a former athlete from Kenya, winner of 3000 m steeplechase at the 1992 Summer Olympics.[1]

Matthew Birir
Medal record
Men’s Athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 3000 m steeplechase
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place1990 Plovdiv3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal – second place1988 Sudbury3000m steeplechase

Biography

Born in Eldama Ravine, Matthew Birir started running, when he attended the famous St. Patrick's High School in Iten, which has produced many great Kenyan runners.

Career

At the Barcelona Olympics, the main favourite was Patrick Sang. At the Olympic final, it was soon clear, that all the medals are going to Kenya. At the last lap, the 20-year-old Birir outsprinted his older countryman Sang to win a gold 0.69 seconds ahead of latter.

At the 1993 World Championships Birir was fourth, behind Italian Alessandro Lambruschini, who repeated this feat three years later at the 1996 Summer Olympics, where Birir had to settle again for fourth place.

References
  1. "Olympedia – Matthew Birir".


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.