Kevin Young (hurdler) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kevin Young

Young in 2012
Personal information
Born	(1966-09-16) September 16, 1966 (age 59) Watts, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in (193 cm)
Weight	181 lb (82 kg)
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Track
Event(s)	400 m hurdles
College team	UCLA
Club	Santa Monica Track Club
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona 400 m hurdles World Championships Gold 1993 Stuttgart 400 m hurdles Pan American Games Silver 1987 Indianapolis 400 m hurdles

Kevin C. Young (born September 16, 1966) is an American former track and field athlete. He is famous for winning the 400 metres hurdles at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. In that race, he set a new world record of 46.78 seconds. This was the first time anyone had run the 400m hurdles in under 47 seconds! His amazing record stood for almost 29 years until it was broken in 2021.

The year after his Olympic win, Kevin Young also became the 400m hurdles world champion. He won at the 1993 World Championships in Athletics with a time of 47.18 seconds. He was known for a unique way of running over the hurdles, sometimes taking 12 steps and sometimes 13 steps between them. This was different from other top athletes who usually stuck to 13 steps. Kevin Young was added to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2006 for his incredible achievements.

Kevin Young's Amazing Track Career

Early Days and College Success

Kevin Young started his track journey at Jordan High School in Los Angeles. He first found success as a 110-meter hurdler. In 1984, he finished third in the California State Meet.

He then went to UCLA as a "walk-on" athlete, meaning he wasn't given a scholarship right away. In his first year, 1985, he placed fifth in the Pac-10 championships for the 400-meter hurdles. But things changed in his second year. He decided to focus more on the 400-meter hurdles and the 4 × 400-meter relay.

In 1986, Kevin won the Pac-10 400m hurdles title, setting a new record of 49.02 seconds. At the 1986 NCAA Championships, he surprised everyone by finishing second. The next year, 1987, he won two NCAA titles: one for the 400-meter hurdles and another for the 4 × 400-meter relay. His relay team even set a new college record!

By his senior year in 1988, Kevin Young was a top college athlete. He won his third Pac-10 400m hurdles title and his second NCAA 400m hurdles title. His 4 × 400m relay team at UCLA became the first college team ever to run under 3 minutes! Kevin Young finished his college career as team captain and was named the most valuable male college athlete in the U.S.

Kevin Young started competing internationally in 1986 at the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow. He also won a silver medal at the 1987 Pan American Games. At the 1988 Summer Olympics, he finished fourth, just behind the legendary Edwin Moses. He was also fourth at the 1991 World Championships in Athletics.

Olympic Gold and World Record!

Young competing for UCLA in 1986

The year 1992 was a huge one for Kevin Young. He won his first U.S. National Championships title and was unbeatable leading up to the Barcelona Olympics. In the Olympic final, he started in lane 4. Even though he seemed to react a little slower than others at the start, he quickly caught up.

He used his unique hurdling style, switching between 12 and 13 strides between the hurdles. By the middle of the race, he was clearly in the lead. He kept his powerful stride all the way to the finish line. Even though he slightly clipped the last hurdle, he knew he had won. He raised his arm in celebration before crossing the finish line!

Kevin Young won with an incredible new world record of 46.78 seconds. He was the first person in history to run the 400m hurdles in less than 47 seconds. This amazing world record stood for nearly 30 years! It was finally broken by Karsten Warholm in 2021.

After his Olympic win, Kevin Young became the first ever ESPY award winner for track and field. It's also known that before the 1992 Olympics, Kevin Young would put small pieces of paper with "46.89" written on them into his running shoes. He truly believed he could run under 47 seconds!

In 1993, Kevin Young won his second U.S. National Championships title. He had an amazing streak of 25 wins in a row! This streak ended just before the 1993 World Championships in Athletics when he was beaten by Samuel Matete. However, in the World Championships final, Kevin Young once again made a strong move and won the race, beating Matete.

After the Record

After 1993, Kevin Young's performances on the track were not as strong. He raced in only two meetings in 1994. He finished second at the New York Games but didn't make the final at the U.S. Championships. He then focused on helping out in the Atlanta community, visiting Boys and Girls Clubs and helping with toy drives for families in need.

He had a knee injury that needed surgery. With help from coach Bobby Kersee, he tried to get ready for the Atlanta Olympic trials but only made it to the semifinals. Even after 1996, Kevin Young continued to run in races overseas in Europe and Israel. In 1998, he joined a club in Greece and won the 400m hurdles event at a European competition.

Kevin Young never officially announced his retirement. He simply admired the new talented hurdlers who came after him, while also being proud of his own achievements. In 2006, he was honored by being inducted into the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame.

Beyond the Track

Kevin Young is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. He is also an artist, and some of his work has been shown through the Art of the Olympians.

In December 2019, Kevin was involved in a bus accident. He was hurt, suffering a head injury and two broken ribs. He also helped other passengers who were injured.

Awards and Recognition

• World Athletics Awards
  • World Athlete of the Year (Men)：1992

See also

In Spanish: Kevin Young para niños