Monday 4 November 2013

Olympic Legends - Edwin Moses


Edwin Moses went undefeated for nine years, nine months and nine days. He was also double Olympic 400m hurdles champion and led the way as an anti-doping campaigner.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Moses was not originally known for his sporting prowess; rather he was especially knowledgeable when it came to science.

Later on, this was to help him with his athletic career, as he utilized science to ensure his performances in the 400m hurdles were technically faultless.

It was his background in the science field that also led to him being a pioneer for the development of drug-free sport. He created out-of-competition and random testing systems for performance-enhancing drugs in sport.

His first shot at golden glory came at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. He won the 400m hurdles trials in 48.30 seconds - an American record. He went on to become Olympic champion, in a time of 47.63 seconds, breaking the Olympic and world records.

Moses missed the 1980 Moscow Games due to the United States boycott but in 1984, at the Los Angeles Games, he won gold once more.

In 1983 and 1987, he also won the first two IAAF World Championships, he then took Olympic bronze in Seoul in 1988 before retiring from the sport in 1989.

One extra advantage that came from Moses' time in track and field was how he revolutionised the 400m hurdles event. He maintained 13 steps in between hurdles the whole way around the track, instead of the usual 14.


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