Angelo Taylor facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Angelo Taylor

Taylor at the 2008 ISTAF Berlin
Personal information
Born	(1978-12-29) December 29, 1978 (age 46) Albany, Georgia, U.S.
Height	1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	84 kg (185 lb)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	400 m Hurdles, 4 × 400 m Relay
College team	Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2000 Sydney 400 m hurdles Gold 2008 Beijing 400 m hurdles Gold 2008 Beijing 4 × 400 m relay Silver 2012 London 4 × 400 m relay World Championships Gold 2007 Osaka 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2009 Berlin 4 × 400 m relay Gold 2011 Daegu 4 × 400 m relay Bronze 2007 Osaka 400 m Disqualified 1999 Seville 4 × 400 m relay Disqualified 2001 Edmonton 4 × 400 m relay

Angelo F. Taylor (born December 29, 1978) is an American track and field athlete. He is famous for winning the 400-meter hurdles at two different Olympic Games, in 2000 and 2008.

His fastest time ever in the hurdles is 47.25 seconds. This amazing time makes him one of the fastest 15 hurdlers in history. He was also very fast in the regular 400-meter dash, winning a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics.

Taylor was also a key member of the American 4 × 400 m relay team. In this race, four runners each run 400 meters. With his team, he won three world championships and an Olympic gold medal.

Athletic Career

Early Life and College Star

Angelo Taylor was born in Albany, Georgia. He went to college at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where he became a track star. In 1998, he won the NCAA championship in the 400m hurdles. This is the biggest college track competition in the United States.

He quickly became one of the best hurdlers in the country, winning the U.S. national championship three years in a row from 1999 to 2001. In 1999, he competed in his first major international event, the 1999 World Championships.

First Olympic Gold in Sydney

At the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Taylor was a favorite to win the 400m hurdles. The final race was incredibly exciting. Coming into the last part of the race, Taylor was in fourth place. He powered over the final two hurdles to take the lead and won the gold medal by just 0.03 seconds. It was the closest finish ever for that event in the Olympics.

At the same Olympics, Taylor also ran in the early rounds for the 4 × 400 m relay team. The final team went on to win the gold medal. However, years later, the team had to give the medal back. This was because some of Taylor's teammates had broken anti-doping rules. Taylor himself was not involved.

Second Olympic Gold in Beijing

After a few difficult years, Taylor returned to the top of the sport in 2007. He set a new personal best time in the 400m dash and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. He also helped the U.S. relay team win another gold medal.

The next year, at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China, Taylor had an amazing performance. He won his second Olympic gold medal in the 400m hurdles. He also won a gold medal with the 4 × 400 m relay team, making him a double Olympic champion.

Later Career and London Olympics

Taylor continued to compete at a high level for many years. He was part of the American relay teams that won gold at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships.

In 2012, he competed in his fourth Olympics in London. He was chosen as the captain of the U.S. men's track team. He finished fifth in the 400m hurdles. In the 4 × 400 m relay, he ran the final leg for the American team, which won the silver medal.

Suspension from the Sport

In 2019, Taylor was suspended by the U.S. Center for SafeSport. This organization works to protect athletes from harm. The suspension was for breaking safety rules related to young athletes. Because of this, he is not allowed to participate in track and field events.

Personal Life

Taylor lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and their twin sons. His father, Angelo Taylor Sr., was also an athlete who played football and ran track in college.

Personal Best Times

This table shows Angelo Taylor's fastest times in different running events.

See also

In Spanish: Angelo Taylor para niños