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 and Hebburn AC
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 best middle-distance runners in the world during the 1980s. People called him "The Jarrow Arrow" because he was from Jarrow.

In 1985, Steve Cram set amazing world records in the 1,500 m, 2,000 m, and the mile. He did all this in just 19 days! He was also the first man to run 1,500 m in under 3 minutes and 30 seconds. He won a gold medal at the 1983 World Championships and a silver medal at the 1984 Olympic Games, both in the 1,500 m race.

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

Steve Cram's Running Career

Steve Cram started his Olympic journey early. In 1980, at just 19 years old, he earned a spot on the British Olympic team. He finished eighth in the 1,500 m final at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games.

Breakthrough in 1982

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

World Champion in 1983

Even though he had an injury early in 1983, Cram recovered for the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki. He won the gold medal in the 1,500 m. He used a smart strategy in a slow race, speeding up in the last 200 metres to win.

Later that summer, he won an exciting mile race at Crystal Palace. He kept a small lead over his rival, Steve Ovett, right to the finish line.

Olympic Silver in 1984

In 1984, injuries affected Cram's season. However, he still managed to win a silver medal in the 1,500 m at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He finished behind the defending champion, Sebastian Coe.

Record-Breaking Year: 1985

Steve Cram had an incredible year in 1985. He set three new world records in just 19 days! These records were for the 1,500 m, the mile, and the 2,000 m.

He ran the 1,500 m in 3 minutes and 29.67 seconds, becoming the first person to run under 3:30.00. His mile time of 3 minutes and 46.32 seconds was a European record for many years. He also ran his fastest ever 800 m race in 1:42.88.

Cram was known for his unique running style. He would gradually increase his speed over the last 300 metres of a race. This made him very hard to catch. He could win races from any position, often starting near the back and then using his powerful finish.

Double Gold in 1986

Cram continued his success in 1986. At the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, he won gold medals in both the 800 m and the 1,500 m. His 800 m time of 1:43.22 is still a Commonwealth Games record.

He then competed at the 1986 European Championships in Stuttgart. He won a bronze medal in the 800 m and another 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

After 1986, injuries started to affect Cram's performance more often. He still competed in major events like the 1987 World Championships and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. At the Seoul Olympics, he finished fourth in the 1,500 m final.

He officially retired from athletics in 1994. Steve Cram held the UK record for the 2,000 m race. His UK mile record was broken in 2024 by Josh Kerr.

Steve Cram has also coached other middle-distance runners, including Laura Weightman. In 2014, he joined British Athletics as an adviser and mentor.

Cram carries the Olympic Torch for the 2008 Summer Olympics down Whitehall in London surrounded by Police and Olympic officials on 6 April 2008

Television Work

After retiring from running, Steve Cram became a well-known television presenter. He is mainly an athletics commentator for BBC Sport.

He started commentating on athletics events for the BBC in 1999. He has covered many Olympic Games, including Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008, London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020, and Paris 2024 Olympics.

Cram has also worked on many Commonwealth Games for the BBC. He commentated on athletics at the Manchester 2002 Games and has continued for all games since.

He has also presented and commentated on Winter Olympic Games. He covered the Salt Lake City 2002 and Turin 2006 Winter Olympics. For the Vancouver 2010 and later Winter Olympics, he became the main curling commentator.

Personal Life

Steve Cram was married to Karen for many years. They divorced in 2006. He now lives with former athlete Allison Curbishley in Northumberland. He has two children, Josie and Marcus. His younger brother, Kevin, passed away in 2001.

Steve Cram is a big fan of Sunderland A.F.C., a football team.

Awards and Recognition

In 1983, Steve Cram was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year. He was recognized for his services to sport with an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1986. In 2015, he received an even higher honor, the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).

Personal Best Times

Here are some of Steve Cram's fastest times in different races:

See also

In Spanish: Steve Cram para niños