Marcus O'Sullivan

Marcus O’Sullivan was a middle-distance runner who competed at four Olympics (1984-1996), primarily in the 1,500 metres, although he appeared in the 800 in 1984. He made an Olympic final only at Seoul in 1988, when he was eighth in the 1,500.

O’Sullivan fared much better at other major meets. He was World Indoor Champion in the 1,500 in 1987, 1989, and 1993. Running for Villanova University in the United States, as have many great Irish runners, he won two NCAA indoor titles, leading Villanova’s teams to victory in the 1981 distance medley relay and the 1983 two-mile relay. O’Sullivan later became head men’s track coach at Villanova, starting in that role in 1998.

O’Sullivan was a five-time winner of the Wanamaker Mile at the Millrose Games (1986, 1988-90, 1992) and won six Penn Relays watches with Villanova relay teams – 1981 4x1500 and distance medley relay; and the 4x800 and 4x1500 in 1982 and 1984.

Personal Bests: 800 – 1:45.87 (1985); 1500 – 3:33.61 (1996); Mile – 3:50.94i (1988), 3:51.64 (1989).