David Oliver (hurdler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
David Oliver

Oliver in 2008 in Berlin
Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1982-04-24) April 24, 1982 (age 43) Denver, Colorado
Residence	Kissimmee, Florida
Height	6 ft 2 in
Weight	205 lb
Sport
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	110 m hurdles
College team	Howard Bison
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	110 m hurdles: 12.89 (0.5 m/s)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Bronze 2008 Beijing 110 m hurdles World Championships Gold 2013 Moscow 110 m hurdles World Indoor Championships Bronze 2010 Doha 60 m hurdles Continental Cup Gold 2010 Split 110 m hurdles Pan American Games Gold 2015 Toronto 110 m hurdles

David Oliver (born April 24, 1982) is a famous American hurdling athlete who is now retired. He used to compete in the 110 meter hurdles race outdoors and the 60 meter hurdles race indoors. He is a former world champion in the 110 meter hurdles, winning a gold medal at the World Championships in Moscow in 2013. He also won a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games and another bronze at the 2010 World Indoor Championships.

David Oliver once held the American record for the 110 meter hurdles. He won four U.S. national titles in his career. His fastest time in the 110 meter hurdles was 12.89 seconds. This amazing time placed him among the fastest hurdlers ever when he retired from the sport in 2017. Today, he is the Director of Track & Field at Howard University, his old college.

David Oliver's Athletics Journey

College Sports Career

David Oliver started his track and field journey at Howard University. He was recruited from Denver East High School. At Howard, he became very successful in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). He won the MEAC 110 meter hurdles title four times in a row, from 2001 to 2004. He also won an indoor MEAC championship in the 55 meter hurdles in 2003.

Oliver leading the 60 m hurdles at the 2010 IAAF World Indoor Championships.

In 2003, David earned his first "All-American" honor. This means he was recognized as one of the best college athletes in the country. He finished fourth at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championship, setting a personal best time. The next year, he earned another All-American honor. He set a new university record in the 60 meter hurdles indoors. He also set an outdoor university record for the 110 meter hurdles.

While in college, David also played wide receiver for the Howard Bison football team. He mostly played on special teams. His athletic skills even caught the eye of NFL teams, and he was invited to try out for the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings.

Professional Hurdles Career

After college, David Oliver decided to become a professional track and field athlete. He quickly started winning big races. In 2006, he won his first major international race in Berlin.

Oliver (center) in the 2008 Olympic sprint hurdles final.

In 2008, David won his first national title in the 60 meter hurdles. He then set a new personal best of 12.95 seconds in the 110 meter hurdles. At the U.S. Olympic Trials, he ran an incredibly fast 12.89 seconds. This helped him qualify for the Olympics.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, David Oliver won the bronze medal in the 110 meter hurdles. He finished behind Dayron Robles and his fellow American, David Payne. He ended 2008 as the second-fastest 110 meter hurdler in the world.

The year 2010 was amazing for David. He started the outdoor season with four wins in a row. He set a new personal best of 12.93 seconds at the U.S. Championships. On July 16, 2010, he ran the 110 meter hurdles in 12.89 seconds. At that time, this was the third-fastest time ever recorded! By the end of 2010, David Oliver was unbeaten in 15 final races. He held the top five fastest times in the world for the year.

In 2011, David won another U.S. Championship title. He also ran under 13 seconds again. He finished that season ranked third in the world.

In 2013, after dealing with some injuries, David made a great comeback. He won his first major world title! He won the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, with a time of 13.00 seconds. He also won his second IAAF Diamond League title that year.

Retirement from Athletics

David Oliver announced his retirement from competitive athletics at the end of the 2017 season. Soon after, he was chosen to lead the track and field program at his old college, Howard University.

David Oliver's Personal Life

Oliver at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics

David's mother, Brenda Chambers, was also a track and field athlete. She competed in the 400 meter hurdles.

David graduated from Denver East High School in Colorado in 2000. He earned a degree in Marketing from Howard University in 2004. He lives in Kissimmee, Florida.

He is also a fan of the English football (soccer) team, Arsenal Football Club.

Fastest Times (Personal Bests)

Here are David Oliver's fastest times in his main events:

Major Competition Results

This table shows David Oliver's results at important competitions:

• National outdoor championships – Winner: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2015. Runner-up: 2013
• National indoor championships – Winner: 2008. Runner-up: 2010.

World and U.S. Rankings

Experts from Track and Field News ranked David Oliver among the best in the U.S. and the world for the 110m hurdles from 2005 to 2016.

Awards and Honors

In 2014, David Oliver was honored by being elected into the Howard University Hall of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: David Oliver para niños