Kenyan · Nairobi, Kenya · Born 10 February 1972Kenyan-born Danish middle-distance runner who dominated the 800m in the 1990s, setting three world records and winning three World Championship titles.
Wilson Kipketer is a Danish-Kenyan 800m runner who broke Sebastian Coe's world record and dominated the event for nearly a decade in the 1990s. His smooth, powerfully efficient running style and exceptional competitive consistency — he went unbeaten in the 800m for several years — made him the finest 800m runner of his era. His world record of 1:41.11 stood for 16 years. Kipketer's 1:41.11 world record stood for 16 years until David Rudisha broke it at the 2012 London Olympics, and his near-decade of dominance in the 800m remains one of the great sustained peaks in middle-distance running history.
800m world record holder and three-time world champion
How They Played
Tactical runner with exceptional finishing kick and race intelligence
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest 800m runners in history, held world record for 13 years
Kenyan Athletes