Randy Barnes facts for kids
Randy Barnes (front) at the UTEP Sierra Medical invitational meet in 1994
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Eric Randolph Barnes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 16, 1966 Charleston, West Virginia, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 feet 5 inches (1.95 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 291 lb | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  United States |
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| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Shot put | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Robert Parker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 23.12 m (1990) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Eric Randolph Barnes (born June 16, 1966) is a famous American athlete. He used to compete in the shot put, which is a sport where you throw a heavy ball as far as you can. Randy held the world record for the outdoor shot put for a very long time, from 1990 until 2021! He also won two Olympic medals: a silver medal in 1988 and a gold medal in 1996.
Contents
Randy Barnes' Early Life and Training
Randy Barnes was born in Charleston, West Virginia. He grew up in a nearby town called St. Albans. Randy started practicing the shot put when he was in high school.
In 1985, he threw the high school shot an amazing 20.36 metres (66.8 ft). This was with a lighter shot that weighed about 5.4 kilograms (12 lb). After finishing high school in 1985, he went to Texas A&M University. There, he broke school records set by another famous shot putter, Randy Matson. Randy Barnes threw the full-size shot (which weighs 7.26 kilograms (16.0 lb)) 21.88 metres (71.8 ft). While at Texas A&M, Randy worked with great coaches like Istvan Javorek and Robert Parker.
Olympic Success and World Records
Randy went to the 1988 Seoul Olympics when he was only 22 years old. He threw 22.39 metres (73.5 ft) and won a silver medal. He came in second place to Ulf Timmermann from East Germany.
On January 20, 1989, Randy set a new indoor world record. He threw the shot 22.66 metres (74.3 ft) at an event in Los Angeles. This throw was even farther than his best outdoor throw at that time!
On May 20, 1990, Randy broke Ulf Timmermann's outdoor world record. He threw the shot an incredible 23.12 m (75 ft 10.11122048 in). Just six days later, Timmermann almost matched Randy's new record, throwing 23.10 m (75 ft 9.32381890 in).
Challenges and Comeback
Later in 1990, Randy faced a challenge. He was not allowed to compete for 27 months. This was because a test showed he had used a substance that was not allowed in sports. He tried to get the decision changed but was not successful. Because of this, he could not compete in the 1992 Olympics.
But Randy did not give up! At the 1996 Olympic Games, he made an amazing comeback. He won the gold medal that he had missed out on eight years earlier. On his very last throw, he threw 21.62 metres (70.9 ft), which was enough to win!
In 1998, Randy had another issue with a banned substance. He said he didn't know it was against the rules. Because of this, he was not allowed to compete in track and field ever again.
Life After Shot Put
After his career in shot put ended, Randy Barnes found a new sport. He became a competitor in "long driving." This is a sport where people try to hit a golf ball as far as they possibly can. In 2005, he even qualified for the World Long Drive Championship!
See also
In Spanish: Eric Randolph Barnes para niños
