Mark McKoy facts for kids
| 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 | 4x100 m relay |
| Silver | 1982 Brisbane | 4x100 m relay |
| Universiade | ||
| Bronze | 1983 Edmonton | 110 m hurdles |
| Pacific Conference Games | ||
| Gold | 1981 Christchurch | 4x100 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 was a champion in events like the 110 metres hurdles and 60 metres hurdles. Mark McKoy won a gold medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He also won gold at the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships and two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and 1986. He holds the world record for the 50 metres hurdles and Canadian records for the 60 metres hurdles and 110 metres hurdles.
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Mark McKoy's Athletics Journey
Mark McKoy was born in Georgetown, British Guiana. He spent his early years in England before moving to Canada as a teenager. He briefly attended Clemson University in 1980.
Mark McKoy became known in international athletics in 1982. He won a gold medal in the 110-meter hurdles and a silver medal in the 4 x 100 m relay at the Commonwealth Games. The next year, he finished fourth at the first World Championships. He also placed fourth at the 1984 Summer Olympics.
In 1986, Mark McKoy won the 110-meter hurdles again at the Commonwealth Games. He also helped his team win a gold medal in the 4x100-meter relay. However, he finished seventh at the 1987 World Championships.
Olympic Challenges and Comeback
At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Mark McKoy finished seventh in the hurdles. During these Games, another Canadian athlete faced issues with sports rules. In response, Mark McKoy decided to leave the Olympics early. This led to a two-year suspension from international competitions by the Canadian Olympic Committee. Later, Mark McKoy shared that he had briefly experimented with performance-enhancing substances when he was younger, feeling pressure from his coach. This experience highlighted the importance of fair play and following rules in sports.
Mark McKoy returned to competition at the 1991 World Championships. He again finished fourth in the 110-meter hurdles. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona, he finally broke his fourth-place streak. He won the gold medal in 13.12 seconds. This was a big moment for Canadian track and field. It was the first Olympic gold medal for Canada in track and field since 1932. Mark McKoy also became the first Black Canadian to win an Olympic gold medal. In 1993, he won the 60-meter hurdles at the 1993 IAAF World Indoor Championships in Toronto.
Mark McKoy later moved to Austria and became an Austrian citizen in 1994. He competed for Austria in the final years of his career. He set an Austrian record of 13.14 seconds in the 110-meter hurdles.
Mark McKoy's Best Times
Mark McKoy achieved impressive personal bests during his career:
| Event | Best Time | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60 metres | 6.49 seconds | Karlsruhe, Germany | March 6, 1993 |
| 50 metres hurdles | 6.25 seconds | Kobe, Japan | March 5, 1986 |
| 60 metres hurdles | 7.41 seconds | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | March 14, 1993 |
| 100 metres | 10.08 seconds | Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France | July 2, 1993 |
| 110 metres hurdles | 13.08 seconds | Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France | July 2, 1993 |
See also
In Spanish: Mark McKoy para niños
- Canadian records in track and field
- Doping cases in athletics
