Steve Cram facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Steve Cram
CBE

Steve Cram while carrying the Torch for the 2008 Summer Olympics as it passes through Whitehall in London.
Personal information
Full name	Stephen Cram
Nickname(s)	The Jarrow Arrow
Born	(1960-10-14) 14 October 1960 (age 64) Gateshead, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight	10 st 12 lb (69 kg)
Sport
Sport	Track
Event(s)	1500 metres, Mile
Club	Jarrow & Hebburn
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	800 metres: 1:42.88 1500 metres: 3:29.67 Mile: 3:46.32 3000 metres: 7:43.1 2-mile: 8:14.93 5000 metres: 13:28.58
Medal record Representing  Great Britain Men's athletics Olympic Games Silver 1984 Los Angeles 1500 m World Championships Gold 1983 Helsinki 1500 m European Championships Gold 1982 Athens 1500 m Gold 1986 Stuttgart 1500 m Bronze 1986 Stuttgart 800 m Representing  England Commonwealth Games Gold 1982 Brisbane 1500 m Gold 1986 Edinburgh 800 m Gold 1986 Edinburgh 1500 m

Stephen Cram, born on 14 October 1960, is a famous British retired track and field athlete. He was one of the world's top middle distance runners in the 1980s. People called him "The Jarrow Arrow" because he was from Jarrow.

In 1985, Cram set three new world records in just 19 days. These records were for the 1,500 m, 2,000 m, and the mile. He was also the first man to run 1,500 m in under 3 minutes and 30 seconds. Steve won a gold medal in the 1,500 m at the 1983 World Championships. He also won a silver medal in the 1,500 m at the 1984 Olympic Games.

After his running career, Steve Cram helped start a charity called COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas) in 2000. This charity helps provide education for children in poor parts of East Africa. He is still the chairman of COCO. In 2008, he became the Chancellor of the University of Sunderland. Today, Cram works as a television presenter and athletics commentator. He also gives motivational speeches and coaches athletes.

Steve Cram's Running Career

Steve Cram started his Olympic journey in 1980. He earned a spot on the British team for the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. At just 19 years old, he made it to the final of the 1,500 m race. He finished in eighth place.

Big Wins in the Early 1980s

In 1982, Cram had a major breakthrough year. He won gold medals in the 1,500 m at both the Commonwealth Games and the 1982 European Championships in Athens. He showed great skill by breaking away from the other runners with 600 meters left in the European race.

In 1983, Cram recovered from an injury to compete in the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. He won the 1,500 m gold medal there. He used a smart strategy in a slow race, speeding up in the last 200 meters to win.

Record-Breaking Year: 1985

The year 1985 was amazing for Steve Cram. He was only beaten three times all year. He set three new world records in just 19 days:

• 1,500 m: 3:29.67
• Mile: 3:46.32
• 2,000 m: 4:51.39

He was the first person to run the 1,500 m in under 3 minutes and 30 seconds. His mile record of 3:46.32 was a European record for many years. Cram was known for his smooth running style and how he could speed up easily. This made him exciting to watch.

Commonwealth and European Success: 1986

Cram continued his strong performance in 1986. At the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, he won two gold medals. He won the 800 m, setting a new Commonwealth Games record of 1:43:22. He then won the 1,500 m as well.

He also competed in the 1986 European Championships in Stuttgart. He won a bronze medal in the 800 m. Then, he bounced back to win the gold medal in the 1,500 m, beating Sebastian Coe. This period was known as a "golden era" for British middle-distance running.

Later Career and Retirement

In 1987, Cram faced tougher competition. He finished eighth in the 1,500 m final at the 1987 World Championships in Rome. He needed a fast race to win, but the pace was slow, and he couldn't keep up at the end.

In 1988, he returned to better form. He won the Oslo Dream Mile for the fourth time in a row. He was a favorite for the 1,500 m gold at the Seoul Olympics. However, a calf injury before the games affected his performance. He still made it to the 1,500 m final but finished fourth.

Injuries continued to bother him in the following years. He retired from athletics in 1994. Steve Cram still holds the UK record for the 2,000 m. He also coached other middle-distance runners like Laura Weightman.

Cram carries the Olympic Torch for the 2008 Summer Olympics down Whitehall in London in 2008.

Steve Cram on Television

After his running career, Steve Cram became a well-known television presenter and athletics commentator. He mostly works for BBC Sport. He also gives talks to inspire people.

In 2006, he was part of the BBC TV show Run for Glory. He helped people prepare for the London Marathon and overcome mental challenges. He was the main commentator for the athletics events at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Cram has also presented coverage for four Winter Olympics, focusing on sports like Curling.

Personal Life

Steve Cram is married to former athlete Allison Curbishley. They live in Northumberland. He has two children, Josie and Marcus. Steve is a big fan of Sunderland A.F.C., a football team.

Awards and Recognition

Steve Cram has received several important awards:

• In 1983, he was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
• He was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1986.
• In 2015, he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his services to sport.

Running Best Times

Here are some of Steve Cram's best times in different running events:

Images for kids

• 

  Steve Cram carrying the Olympic Torch in London.

See also

In Spanish: Steve Cram para niños