Michael Marsh (sprinter) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Michael Marsh

Personal information
Nationality	American
Born	(1967-08-04) August 4, 1967 (age 57) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	150 lb (68 kg)
Sport
Sport	Running
Event(s)	100 metres, 200 metres
College team	UCLA Bruins
Club	Santa Monica Track Club
Medal record Men's athletics (track and field) Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 1992 Barcelona 200 metres Gold 1992 Barcelona 4 × 100 metres relay Silver 1996 Atlanta 4 × 100 metres relay World Championships Gold 1991 Tokyo 4 × 100 metres relay

Michael Lawrence Marsh (born August 4, 1967) is a retired American sprinter. He is famous for winning the Olympic gold medal in the 200-meter race in 1992.

Michael Marsh's Early Life and Career

Michael Marsh was born in Los Angeles, California. He went to Hawthorne High School. There, he ran track and field alongside another talented athlete, Henry Thomas. Together with Michael Graham and Sean Kelly, they set a National High School Record in the 4 × 400-meter relay at the Texas Relays.

When Henry Thomas had to have surgery, Michael Marsh stepped up. He won the 200-meter race at the 1985 CIF California State Meet. He then continued his running career at UCLA. His best result there was a third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. In 2016, he was honored by being inducted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame.

Becoming a World-Class Sprinter

Even though Michael Marsh was a strong runner, it took him some time to join international competitions. In 1991, he qualified for the American relay team for the World Championships. He ran in the early races, helping his team set a Championship record. The American team went on to win the final, setting a new World Record.

In 1992, Marsh showed incredible speed. At the Mt. SAC Relays, he ran the 100-meter race in 9.93 seconds. This was an amazing time, especially considering the wind. He was later inducted into the Mt. SAC Relays Hall of Fame in 2003.

Olympic Glory in Barcelona

At the 1992 US Olympic Trials, Michael Marsh finished fourth in the 100-meter race. This wasn't enough for him to compete individually in that event at the Olympics, but it did get him a spot on the relay team. In the 200-meter race, he placed second, which qualified him for the Barcelona Olympics.

In Barcelona, Marsh surprised everyone in his 200-meter semi-final race. He ran a time of 19.73 seconds, which was just a tiny bit slower than the world record at the time. What made it even more amazing was that he slowed down before the finish line! He later said he didn't realize how fast he was going and wanted to save energy for the final. Many believed he would have broken the world record if he had kept running at full speed.

In the final, Marsh won the gold medal, beating Frankie Fredericks from Namibia. He also helped the American team set a new world record in the 4 × 100-meter relay, finishing in 37.40 seconds.

Later Career and Achievements

After his Olympic wins, Michael Marsh continued to compete. In 1993, he placed fourth in the 200-meter race at the World Championships. In 1994, he was part of the Santa Monica Track Club team that set a world record in the 4 × 200-meter relay. This record stood for many years.

In 1995, he won the national championships in the 100-meter race. He competed at the World Championships again but didn't medal.

At the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Marsh qualified for all three sprint events. He finished fifth in the 100-meter final and last in the 200-meter final. The American 4 × 100-meter relay team, with Marsh as a runner, was expected to win gold. However, they were surprised by the Canadian team and won the silver medal instead.

In 1997, he reached the 100-meter final at the World Championships. He finished last due to a foot injury that needed surgery.

In 2021, Michael Marsh was honored again when he was elected into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.

Track Records

As of September 2024, Michael Marsh holds the following track records for 100 meters and 200 meters.

100 Metres Records

200 Metres Records

See also

In Spanish: Michael Marsh para niños