Olympic steeplechase races have been won in a variety of ways. Sometimes the key is speed, other times endurance, or obstacle-clearing technique, or simply strategy. More often, steeplechase winners combine all these elements to provide an exciting and unique track and field event.
1. 1976 - Garderud, Malinowski are world class
Sweden's Anders Garderud beat his own world record by 1.5 seconds in the 1976 Olympic final, but still had to finish exceptionally strong to win the race, as silver medalist Bronislaw Malinowski of Poland also topped the previous world mark. Malinowski took the lead midway through the event and held it until the final 300 meters, when both Garderud and East German Frank Baumgartl moved past. Baumgartl was challenging for the lead when he hit the final hurdle and fell, leaving Garderud to win with Malinowski one second behind. But the East German got up in time to salvage the bronze.2. 2004 - Kenyans in control
Never has one nation so thoroughly dominated the steeplechase the way the Kenyans did in Athens. Kenyan-born runners took the top four spots, although the fourth-place finisher, Moussa Omar Obaid, had become a citizen of Qatar. Gold medal winner Ezekiel Kemboi led Kenya's sweep, winning in a deceptively easy 8:05.81. At the end of the race, Kemboi diverted some of his attention from running and cheered on his countrymen, hoping for the 1-2-3 finish. Fellow Kenyan Brimin Kipruto won the silver while Paul Kipsiele Koech held off Obaid to claim the bronze.
