Sonia O'Sullivan

Sonia O'Sullivan (born 28 November 1969) is an Irish former track and field athlete. She won a gold medal in the 5000 metres at the 1995 World Championships and a silver medal in the 5000 metres at the 2000 Olympic Games. Her 2000 m world record of 5:25.36, set in 1994, stood until 2017. O'Sullivan first came to prominence when winning the 1500 m at the 1991 Universiade, before going on to finish fourth in the 3000 m final at the 1992 Olympic Games. She then won a silver medal in the 1500 m at the 1993 World Championships. She was favourite for the 5000 m title at the 1996 Olympic Games but dropped out of the final due to illness. As well as her 1995 World title, she won three gold medals at the European Championships, in the 3000 m (1994), 5000 m (1998) and 10,000 m (1998), and is a two-time World Cross Country Champion. O'Sullivan won silver medals in the 5000 m and 10,000 m at the 2002 European Championships and competed at her fourth Olympic Games in 2004. She is known for her fast kick, clocking 28-second final 200 m splits in some of her races. She is one of two women who won the short and long course World Cross Country title at the same championship (1998 in Marrakesh).

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