Mark Crear facts for kids
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| Full name | Mark James Crear | ||||||||||||||||
| Born | October 2, 1968 (age 56) San Francisco, California, U.S. |
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Medal record
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Mark James Crear (born October 2, 1968) is a famous American track and field athlete. He is best known for winning two Olympic medals in the 110 meter hurdles race. Mark earned a silver medal in 1996 and a bronze medal in 2000. His fastest time in the 110 meter hurdles was 12.98 seconds.
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Early Life and School
Mark Crear grew up in California. He went to John A. Rowland High School in the Rowland Heights area. While in high school, he was a talented hurdler. In 1987, he placed second in the 300 meters hurdles and fourth in the 110 meters hurdles at a big state competition called the CIF California State Meet.
After high school, Mark went to the University of Southern California (USC). He continued to excel in track and field. In 1992, he won the NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship in the 110 meters hurdles. This was a huge national title for college athletes. Mark still holds the school record for hurdles at USC!
Olympic Achievements
Mark Crear is an amazing athlete who showed incredible strength and determination. At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, he won a silver medal in the 110 meter hurdles. What makes this even more impressive is that he competed and won with a broken arm! He finished just behind another great hurdler, Allen Johnson.
Four years later, at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Mark earned another medal. This time, he won a bronze medal in the same event. He achieved this even though he was dealing with a double hernia. He placed third, behind Anier García and Terrence Trammell. Mark's ability to perform at such a high level despite injuries truly shows his dedication.
Inspiring Others
Beyond his athletic career, Mark Crear has traveled the world. He shares his experiences and inspires many people. He gives motivational speeches and leads workshops. These workshops teach people how to achieve their best performance in different areas of life. Mark uses his 15 years of Olympic-level success to help others reach their goals.
Family Life
After winning his silver medal in 1996, Mark Crear celebrated in a special way. He carried his baby daughter, Ebony, with him on his victory lap around the Centennial Olympic Stadium. Ebony later became a talented runner herself. She competed in the 100 meters hurdles in high school. She even helped her team win a state championship in the 4 × 400 meters relay in 2014. Ebony then went on to run for Texas A&M University.
Personal Best Times
Here are some of Mark Crear's fastest times in different running events:
| Event | Time (seconds) | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40-yard dash | 4.26 | April 3, 1997 | Los Angeles, United States |
| 100 meters | 10.19 | May 14, 1999 | Berlin, Germany |
| 200 meters | 20.20 | May 22, 2000 | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 400 meter hurdles | 50.20 | June 5, 1989 | Walnut, United States |
| 110 meter hurdles | 12.98 | July 5, 1999 | Zagreb, Croatia |
Major Wins
Mark Crear has won several important medals and titles representing the United States:
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Representing the  United States |
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| 1994 | Goodwill Games | Saint Petersburg, Russia | 1st | 110 m hurdles | |
| 1996 | Summer Olympics | Atlanta, United States | 2nd | 110 m hurdles | |
| 1997 | World Championships | Athens, Greece | 7th | 110 m hurdles | |
| 1998 | Goodwill Games | Uniondale, New York | 1st | 110 m hurdles | |
| 2000 | Summer Olympics | Sydney, Australia | 3rd | 110 m hurdles | |
| 2001 | Goodwill Games | Brisbane, Australia | 6th | 110 m hurdles | |
See also
In Spanish: Mark Crear para niños
