Steeplechase at the Olympics
The steeplechase event is one of the many that are contested as a part of the track and field discipline in the Olympics. Although the steeplechase was first introduced at the Olympics in 1900, it was run over 2400m and 4000m. The event was held for different distances in subsequent Olympics, till the modern 3000m distance for men was introduced at the Olympics in 1920. A women's event was added to the program very recently, in 2008.
steeplechase eventThe men's event has recently been dominated by athletes from Kenya, which have won the gold medal in the last eight consecutive Olympics including a podium sweep in 1992 and 2004.
Volmari Iso-Hollo of Finland and Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya are the only two men to have won the gold medal twice. In the recent history of the women's event, Russia has taken the lead winning the gold medal in 2008 and 2012.
Trivia
- The steeplechasers at the 1932 Games had to run an extra lap on top of their normal 7.5 when an official lost count.
Related Pages
- long distance running events at the Olympics
- Middle Distance running events at the Olympics
- discontinued steeplechase events at the Olympic Games (1900-1912)
- About Track and Field at the Olympics
- The Greatest T&F Athletes at the Olympics.
- List of Olympic Sports
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