Kerry O'Brien (athlete)

Kerry O'Brien

Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Australia
Representing  Australia
Commonwealth Games
	1966 Kingston	3000 m Steeple

Kerry O'Brien (born 17 April 1946) is a former track and field athlete from Australia, who competed in the middle-distance running events. He was born in Port Augusta, South Australia. He represented his native country at two consecutive Commonwealth Games from 1966 and two Summer Olympics from 1968.^[1]

O'Brien was the world record holder in the men's 3,000 metres steeplechase for more than two years (1970–1972), setting a time of 8:21.98 at Berlin on 4 July 1970.^[2] At the 1970 Commonwealth Games, O'Brien fell at the final water-jump, while leading, and failed to finish the race.^[1] He also fell during the 1972 Olympics. He retired in 1973 with a total of nine Australian Championships to his credit. He won one cross country title, one 5000 metres title and seven steeplechase championships.^[1]

International competitions

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Notes
1966	British Empire and Commonwealth Games	Kingston, Jamaica	8th	1 mile
	British Empire and Commonwealth Games	Kingston, Jamaica	2nd	3000 m steeplechase
1968	Olympic Games	Mexico City, Mexico	4th	3000 m steeplechase
1969	Pacific Conference Games	Tokyo, Japan	1st	3000 m steeplechase
1970	British Commonwealth Games	Edinburgh, Scotland	8th	10,000 m
	British Commonwealth Games	Edinburgh, Scotland	DNF	3000 m steeplechase
1972	Olympic Games	Munich, West Germany	DNF	3000 m steeplechase
1973	Pacific Conference Games	Toronto, Canada	1st	3000 m steeplechase

References

1. Profile, athletics.com.au; accessed 18 September 2014.
2. Athletics Australia - list of Australian world record holders