Marilyn Okoro facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Marilyn Okoro

Okoro at the 2009 FBK Games
Personal information
Born	(1984-09-23) 23 September 1984 (age 40) London, England
Sport
Country	Great Britain
Club	Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
Turned pro	2006
Retired	Jan 2021
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking	800 m': 7 (2008)
Personal best(s)	800 m 1:58.45
Medal record Representing  Great Britain Women's athletics Olympic Games Bronze 2008 Beijing 4x400 m relay World Championships Bronze 2007 Osaka 4x400 m relay IAAF World Athletics Final Bronze 2007 Stuttgart 800 m Bronze 2008 Stuttgart 800 m European Championships Silver 2010 Barcelona 4x400 m relay European Indoor Championships Silver 2009 Torino 4x400 m relay Silver 2011 Paris 4x400 m relay Bronze 2011 Paris 800m
Updated on 11 October 2008.

Marilyn Chinwenwa Okoro (born September 23, 1984) is a retired British track and field athlete from London. She was a talented runner who specialized in the 800 metres race. She also had great success as part of Great Britain's 4 × 400 metres relay team.

Okoro won a bronze medal at the 2007 World Championships in Athletics with her 4x400m relay team. She also competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. There, her 4x400m relay team originally finished fifth. However, they were later awarded the bronze medal after two other teams were disqualified.

Early Life and Education

Marilyn Okoro grew up in London and attended Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. She was a very good student and went on to study at the University of Bath. In 2007, she graduated with a degree in Politics and French.

Besides being a great athlete, Okoro is also talented in other areas. She can speak four languages: English, French, Spanish, and Igbo. She also enjoys music and used to sing in a jazz band. After graduating from university, she became a full-time professional athlete.

Athletic Career

Okoro (second from left) celebrates with her teammates Christine Ohuruogu, Lee McConnell, and Nicola Sanders at the 2007 World Championships.

Okoro's career was filled with exciting races and impressive achievements. She was known for her strong performances in the 800 metres and as a reliable member of the relay team.

Major Competitions

At the 2007 IAAF World Athletics Final and the 2008 IAAF World Athletics Final, Okoro won the bronze medal in the 800 metres event. These were big achievements against the world's best runners.

In 2008, she represented Great Britain at the Beijing Olympic Games. She reached the semi-finals in the individual 800 metres. Her biggest success at the Olympics came with the 4x400m relay team, where she and her teammates earned a bronze medal.

The 2009 season was difficult for Okoro because of injuries. Despite the challenges, she still managed to finish 8th in the 800m final at the World Championships in Berlin.

European Championships

In 2010, at the European Championships in Barcelona, Okoro helped her team win a silver medal in the 4x400m relay. She ran a fast second leg of the race, helping to secure the team's spot on the podium.

She also had success at the European Indoor Championships. In 2011, she won a bronze medal in the 800m and a silver medal with the 4x400m relay team.

Later Career

In 2013, Okoro moved to the United States to train with a new coach, Johnny Gray, who was a famous Olympic runner himself. She continued to compete at a high level and represented England at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Sometimes, athletes and coaches disagree on the best way to race. Okoro was known for her "front-running" tactic, where she would start the race very fast. This style was sometimes criticized by her coaches, who thought a different strategy might work better.

Marilyn Okoro retired from professional athletics in January 2021, leaving behind a legacy as one of Britain's top middle-distance runners of her time.

See also

In Spanish: Marilyn Okoro para niños