Marcus O'Sullivan
Encyclopedia
Marcus O'Sullivan is a retired Irish
middle distance runner
. Although he wasn't planning to go to any of Ireland's universities, O'Sullivan's running encouraged him to go to Villanova University
at 19. After four years of education at Villanova, O'Sullivan graduated with a degree in accounting and later attained an MBA and a CPA.
. He won three gold medals at the World Indoor Championships
over 1500m. He is third all-time (trailing Steve Scott and John Walker) with total sub-4 minute miles, at 101.
The three World Indoor 1500 meter Championships won by O'Sullivan were in 1987 (Indianapolis), 1989 (Budapest), and 1993 (Toronto). In his victories in 1987 and 1989, he set championship records. He was 4th in the 1991 Seville
world indoor championships.
O'Sullivan qualified for four Olympic Games for Ireland: 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996, at both 800 meters and 1500 meters. He reached the 1500 meter finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He set an indoor 1500 meters world record of 3:35.4 on 10 February 1989, and was generally regarded as a better competitor running indoors. This is evidenced by the fact that O'Sullivan won the prestigious Wanamaker Mile
in Madison Square Garden's Millrose Games five times (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992).
His personal best for the mile, set indoors in 1987, is 3:50.96, and his PB for 1500 meters is 3:33.65, set in 1992.
O'Sullivan, along with Irish runners Ray Flynn
, Eamonn Coghlan
, and Frank O'Mara
established the still standing world record in the 4 x mile relay, when they combined in Dublin on August 17, 1985 to run 15:49.08.
O'Sullivan now runs the RunningWorks cross country camp during the summer, and is the head coach of Villanova cross country and track and field. He was coached by Tom Donnelly of Haverford College
and advised Bob Kennedy
in the later years before Kennedy's retirement.
In addition to his ties to American record holder Bob Kennedy, O'Sullivan has coached elite professional runners such as Canadian indoor world silver medalist Carmen Douma-Hussar, and New Zealander Adrian Blincoe
.
He has a daughter named Laura O'Sullivan, who attends Villanova University.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
middle distance runner
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
. Although he wasn't planning to go to any of Ireland's universities, O'Sullivan's running encouraged him to go to Villanova University
Villanova University
Villanova University is a private university located in Radnor Township, a suburb northwest of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
at 19. After four years of education at Villanova, O'Sullivan graduated with a degree in accounting and later attained an MBA and a CPA.
Career
O'Sullivan quickly became a world class runner, and took part in four summer Olympic GamesOlympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
. He won three gold medals at the World Indoor Championships
IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics
The International Association of Athletics Federations World Indoor Championships were inaugurated as the World Indoor Games in 1985 in Paris, France and were subsequently renamed in 1987 as they are known today.-History:...
over 1500m. He is third all-time (trailing Steve Scott and John Walker) with total sub-4 minute miles, at 101.
The three World Indoor 1500 meter Championships won by O'Sullivan were in 1987 (Indianapolis), 1989 (Budapest), and 1993 (Toronto). In his victories in 1987 and 1989, he set championship records. He was 4th in the 1991 Seville
1991 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 3rd IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held at the Palacio Municipal de Deportes San Pablo in Seville, Spain from March 8 to March 10, 1991. It was the first Indoor Championships to include women's triple jump, albeit as a non-championship event...
world indoor championships.
O'Sullivan qualified for four Olympic Games for Ireland: 1984, 1988, 1992, and 1996, at both 800 meters and 1500 meters. He reached the 1500 meter finals at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
He set an indoor 1500 meters world record of 3:35.4 on 10 February 1989, and was generally regarded as a better competitor running indoors. This is evidenced by the fact that O'Sullivan won the prestigious Wanamaker Mile
Wanamaker Mile
The Wanamaker Mile is an event held annually at the Millrose Games in New York City's Madison Square Garden.The event is an indoor one-mile race. It was first held in 1908, and in 1926 became known as the "Wanamaker." It is named in honor of the head of the Wanamaker's Department Store in New...
in Madison Square Garden's Millrose Games five times (1986, 1988, 1989, 1990 and 1992).
His personal best for the mile, set indoors in 1987, is 3:50.96, and his PB for 1500 meters is 3:33.65, set in 1992.
O'Sullivan, along with Irish runners Ray Flynn
Ray Flynn (athlete)
Raymond P. Flynn is a retired middle distance runner and sports agent. A native of Longford in Ireland, Flynn won the mile at the Great Britain Championships against other high school runners. He earned an athletic scholarship to East Tennessee State University where he ran cross country and track...
, Eamonn Coghlan
Eamonn Coghlan
Eamonn Christopher Coghlan is an Irish Senator and former athlete, who specialised in middle distance track events and the 5000 metres...
, and Frank O'Mara
Frank O'Mara
Frank O'Mara is a retired Irish runner who specialized in the 1500 and 3000 metres. He became World Indoor Champion in 3000 m twice, but never achieved the same success on the outdoor track....
established the still standing world record in the 4 x mile relay, when they combined in Dublin on August 17, 1985 to run 15:49.08.
O'Sullivan now runs the RunningWorks cross country camp during the summer, and is the head coach of Villanova cross country and track and field. He was coached by Tom Donnelly of Haverford College
Haverford College
Haverford College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college located in Haverford, Pennsylvania, United States, a suburb of Philadelphia...
and advised Bob Kennedy
Bob Kennedy (runner)
Robert Owen Kennedy Jr. is an American distance runner. Now retired, he once held the American record in the 3000 meters , 2 miles and the 5000 metres ....
in the later years before Kennedy's retirement.
In addition to his ties to American record holder Bob Kennedy, O'Sullivan has coached elite professional runners such as Canadian indoor world silver medalist Carmen Douma-Hussar, and New Zealander Adrian Blincoe
Adrian Blincoe
Adrian Blincoe is a New Zealand middle distance runner who specializes mainly in the 5000 metres. He also competes in the 1500 metres and in the 3000 metres. In July 2008, Adrian set the New Zealand record in the 5000m, running 13:10.19...
.
He has a daughter named Laura O'Sullivan, who attends Villanova University.