Kirk Baptiste (June 20, 1962 – March 24, 2022) was an American track and field athlete, who mainly competed in the 200 metres. He was born in Beaumont, Texas. He competed for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles, United States, where he won the silver medal in the 200 metres with a time of 19.96 seconds. This was the first time anyone had broken 20 seconds and come second in the race. He decided to forego his final season of eligibility at the University of Houston after his successful junior year.[1] Baptiste was diagnosed with HIV in the 1990s, spending a decade abusing drugs to escape. In 2006 he began treatment at "A Caring Safe Place" in Houston.[2]
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Nationality | American | |||||||||||||||||||
Born | June 20, 1962 (1962-06-20) Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||
Died | March 24, 2022 (2022-03-25) (aged 59) | |||||||||||||||||||
Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||
Country | ![]() | |||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Track | |||||||||||||||||||
Event(s) | Sprints | |||||||||||||||||||
College team | Houston | |||||||||||||||||||
Club | Athletics West Santa Monica Track Club | |||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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World Indoor Champions in men's 200 metres | |
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IAAF World / Continental Cup champions in men's 4 × 100 metres relay | |
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1984 USA Olympic track and field team | ||
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Qualification | 1984 United States Olympic Trials (track and field) | ![]() |
Men's track and road athletes |
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Men's field athletes |
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Women's track and road athletes |
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Women's field athletes |
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Coaches | — |
US National Championship winners in men's 100-meter dash | |
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1876–1878 New York Athletic Club |
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1879–1888 NAAAA |
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1888–1979 Amateur Athletic Union |
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1980–1992 The Athletics Congress |
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1993–present USA Track & Field |
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Notes |
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US National Championship winners in men's 200-meter dash | |
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1876–1878 New York Athletic Club |
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1879–1888 NAAAA |
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1888–1979 Amateur Athletic Union |
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1980–1992 The Athletics Congress |
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1993–onwards USA Track & Field |
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Notes |
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