Kerry O'Brien
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Kerry Dennis•O'Brien |
| Used name | Kerry•O'Brien |
| Born | 17 April 1946 in Quorn, South Australia (AUS) |
| Died | 13 December 2025 (aged 79 years 7 months 26 days) |
| Measurements | 180 cm / 70 kg |
| Affiliations | Port Adelaide Athletics Club, Adelaide (AUS) |
| NOC |  Australia |
Biography
Kerry O’Brien was a steeplechase runner who first became known internationally when he won a silver medal at the 1966 British Empire and Commonwealth Games. He then finished fourth in the event at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. On 4 July 1970, he ran the 3,000 metre steeplechase in 8:21.98 (officially 8:22.0) at the ISTAF Meet in Berlin, setting the world record, which stood until shortly before the 1972 Olympic Games.
O’Brien was expected to win the steeplechase at the 1970 British Empire and Commonwealth Games but fell and did not finish the race. Similarly, at the 1972 München Olympics, O’Brien fell in the first round and did not finish. O’Brien was a nine-time Australian champion, winning the 5,000 metres in 1971, the cross-country title in 1969, and five steeplechase titles, in 1966-67 and 1969-73
Personal Best: 3000S – 8:21.98 (1970).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 Summer Olympics | Athletics | AUS |
Kerry O'Brien | |||
| 3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men (Olympic) | 4 | |||||
| 1972 Summer Olympics | Athletics | AUS |
Kerry O'Brien | |||
| 5,000 metres, Men (Olympic) | ||||||
| 3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men (Olympic) | AC h2 r1/2 |
List mentions
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the British Empire/Commonwealth Games (0–1–0 1966 Kingston ATH silver: 3000 m steeplechase)
Errata
Date of birth is uncertain. Commonwealth Games data also has a DOB of 14 April 1946, but multiple sources confirm the DOB listed above.