Paul McMullen

Paul McMullen was a middle-distance runner who competed in the 1,500 metres at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. McMullen was US Champion in 1995-96, but then in 1997 slipped and fell while mowing his lawn, and lost two toes. However, he returned to compete again, and made the 2001 World Championship team, where he finished 10th in the 1,500.

In 2001 McMullen joined the US Coast Guard where he was a surface swimmer and Federal Boarding Officer on the Great Lakes. He retired from running after the 2004 Olympic Trials when he failed to make the team while representing the Coast Guard. He later worked as a Life Safety Consultant for EPS Security. McMullen attended Eastern Michigan University, graduating in 1995. He was inducted into the Drake Relays Hall of Fame in 2000 and Eastern Michigan’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2003. His brother, Phil, was also a world class decathlete who competed at the 2000 and 2004 US Olympic Trials and was 15th at the 2001 World Championships.

McMullen died in 2021 in a skiing accident.

Personal Best: 1500 – 3:33.89 (2001).