Frankie Fredericks - Biography

Biography

Born in Windhoek, Frankie Fredericks was awarded a scholarship at Brigham Young University in the U.S. in 1987. (Though he is not a Mormon, he enjoyed the religious classes at BYU.) During his college career, Fredericks earned numerous All-American citations and won three NCAA championships. In 1990, after his country had become independent of South Africa, Fredericks could participate in international competition. At the World Championships that year, Fredericks won a silver medal in the 200 m, finishing behind Michael Johnson, and placed 5th in the 100 m.

The following year, at the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics, Fredericks became Namibia's first Olympic medalist when he finished second in both the 100 m and 200 m. In 1993, in Stuttgart, he became the nation's first World Champion, winning the 200 m.

In the 1994 Commonwealth Games, he won gold in the 200 m and bronze in the 100 m. His time of 19.97 seconds in the 200 metres is the current Commonwealth Games record.

In the 1995 World Championships 100 m, after crossing the line he immediately went to help his friend Linford Christie who pulled a muscle in the race and signalled for help. This act of kindness endeared him to many (particularly British) athletics fans.

For the 1996 Summer Olympics, Fredericks was among the title favourites for both the 100 m and 200 m. He reached both finals, and again finished second in both. In the 100 m, he was beaten by Donovan Bailey, who set a new World Record, and in the 200 m he was beaten by Michael Johnson, who also set a new World Record. At the time, Fredericks's second place run was the third fastest run in history, beaten only by Johnson (twice).

In the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Frankie once again missed out on the chance of gold in the 100 m; he was beaten by Ato Boldon of Trinidad and Tobago.

Suffering from injuries, Fredericks had to withdraw from the 1999 and 2001 World Championships and the 2000 Summer Olympics. In the 200 m final at the 2004 Summer Olympics he finished 4th.

Fredericks won the 200 m at the inaugural Afro-Asian Games in 2003.

After the end of 2004 outdoor season, Fredericks retired from competition. Also in 2004 he became a member of the International Olympic Committee.

He has run the 100 m under 10 seconds 27 times, number four on the all-time list behind Trinidadian Ato Boldon (28), American Maurice Greene (51), Jamaican Asafa Powell (74).