Mark McKoy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mark McKoy

Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Canada
Olympic Games
Gold	1992 Barcelona	110 m hurdles
IAAF World Indoor Championships
Gold	1993 Toronto	60 m hurdles
Bronze	1991 Seville	60 m hurdles
Commonwealth Games
Gold	1982 Brisbane	110 m hurdles
Gold	1986 Edinburgh	110 m hurdles
Gold	1986 Edinburgh	4 × 100 m relay
Silver	1982 Brisbane	4 × 100 m relay
Universiade
Bronze	1983 Edmonton	110 m hurdles
Pacific Conference Games
Gold	1981 Christchurch	4 × 100 m relay
Pan American Junior Championships
Bronze	1980 Sudbury	110 m hurdles

Mark Anthony McKoy (born December 10, 1961) is a Canadian retired track and field athlete. He is famous for winning the gold medal in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Mark also won the 60 metres hurdles title at the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships. He also earned gold medals in the 110 metres hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in both 1982 and 1986. He holds the world record for the 50 metres hurdles and Canadian records in the 60 metres hurdles and 110 metres hurdles.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Born in Georgetown, British Guiana, Mark McKoy spent his early years in England. He later moved to Canada as a teenager. He briefly attended Clemson University in 1980.

Mark McKoy first gained international attention in 1982. He won a gold medal in the 110 metres hurdles at the 1982 Commonwealth Games. He also earned a silver medal in the 4 × 100 m relay at the same event. The next year, he finished fourth at the first World Championships. He achieved this same fourth-place finish at the 1984 Summer Olympics.

Commonwealth Games Success

In 1986, Mark McKoy continued his success at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. He won the 110 metres hurdles again, repeating his victory from 1982. He also helped his team turn their 4 × 100 metres relay silver medal from 1982 into a gold medal. However, he finished seventh at the 1987 World Championships.

Olympic Challenges and Triumphs

At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Mark McKoy finished seventh in the hurdles final. He faced some challenges during the race, hitting several hurdles. After the hurdles event, Mark decided to leave the Olympic Games early. This meant he did not compete in the 4 × 100 metre relay race. This decision led to a two-year break from international athletics for Mark.

Mark McKoy made a strong return to competition at the 1991 World Championships. He once again finished fourth in the 110 metres hurdles. His hard work paid off at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. Mark finally broke his streak of fourth-place finishes and won the gold medal in 13.12 seconds. This was a very special moment for Canada. It was the first Canadian Olympic gold medal in track and field since 1932. Mark McKoy also became the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal.

Later Career and Records

In 1993, Mark McKoy continued his winning streak. He won the 60 metres hurdles at the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Toronto. He also appeared in a workout video called The S Plan: Get Fit with Christie and Jackson with fellow athletes Colin Jackson and Linford Christie.

Later in his career, Mark McKoy moved to Austria. He became an Austrian citizen in 1994. He then competed for his new country. He set an Austrian record of 13.14 seconds in the 110 metres hurdles.

Personal Best Times

Mark McKoy achieved impressive personal bests during his career:

See also

In Spanish: Mark McKoy para niños

• Canadian records in track and field