USA Track & Field
  • Disciplines
  • Events
  • Programs
  • Resources
  • Associations
  • Safe Sport
  • USATF Fantasy Pick'Em
  • News
  • Membership
  • Clubs
  • Event Insurance / Sanctions
  • Shop
  • Watch
  • USATF Connect Login
Back to Athlete Bios
Athlete Bio

Dan O'Brien

Basic Information

Status: Hall of Fame Gender: Male Date of Birth: 6/18/1966

Athletics Information

Event: Outdoor Track & Field Agent: N/A

Residences

Hometown: Portland, Oregon High School: Henley HS (Klamath Falls, Oregon), 1984 College: Spokane Falls Community College, University of Idaho

Follow This Athlete On:

X Instagram Athlete Profile

3x

World champion

1x

Olympic champion

1x

World Indoor champion

1x

National champion

Current Accomplishments

Personal Best

Filter Results

100m

EventPerformance
Event100mPerformance10.32

110m Hurdles

EventPerformance
Event110m HurdlesPerformance13.47

1500m

EventPerformance
Event1500mPerformance4:36.63

400m

EventPerformance
Event400mPerformance46.53

60m Hurdles Indoors

EventPerformance
Event60m Hurdles IndoorsPerformance7.68

60m Indoors

EventPerformance
Event60m IndoorsPerformance6.67

Decathlon

EventPerformance
EventDecathlonPerformance8891

Discus Throw

EventPerformance
EventDiscus ThrowPerformance55.07

Heptathlon Indoors

EventPerformance
EventHeptathlon IndoorsPerformance6476

High Jump

EventPerformance
EventHigh JumpPerformance2.20

High Jump Indoors

EventPerformance
EventHigh Jump IndoorsPerformance2.13

Javelin Throw

EventPerformance
EventJavelin ThrowPerformance66.90

Long Jump Indoors

EventPerformance
EventLong Jump IndoorsPerformance7.84

Pole Vault Indoors

EventPerformance
EventPole Vault IndoorsPerformance5.20

Shot Put

EventPerformance
EventShot PutPerformance16.69

Shot Put Indoors

EventPerformance
EventShot Put IndoorsPerformance16.02

One of the finest decathletes the world has ever known, O'Brien is tied with 1968 Olympic gold medalist and fellow Hall of Famer Bill Toomey and Tom Pappas with the most U.S. national 10-event titles ever with five. O'Brien captured his own Olympic gold medal at the 1996 Games in Atlanta with 8,824 points for his 11th consecutive decathlon win since September 1992. He avenged a no-height performance in the pole vault at the 1992 Olympic Trials - which kept him off the U.S. Olympic team - to set the then world record later in the year of 8,891 points in Talence, France, bettering his previous WR of 8,812 set in 1991.

The world decathlon champion in 1991, 1993 & 1995, O'Brien earned the year-end world #1 ranking from Track & Field News on six occasions and finished in the top ten of T&FN's World Athlete of the Year voting four times during his career. O’Brien was inducted into the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2006.

Since retiring, O’Brien has worked as a TV commentator for major networks including NBC SPorts and is regularly involved with USATF as either an on-field emcee or commentator on USATF.TV. He’s also a coach, personal trainer and motivational speaker.

Events
Decathlon - 8891 pts.

Records Held
World Record: Decathlon - 8891 pts. (September 5, 1992 – July 4, 1999)

Championships
1996 Olympic Games: Decathlon - 8824 pts. (1st)
1991 World Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8812 pts. (1st)
1993 World Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8817 pts. (1st)
1995 World Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8695 pts. (1st)
1991 USA Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8844 pts. (1st)
1993 USA Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8331 pts. (1st)
1994 USA Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8707 pts. (1st)
1995 USA Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8682 pts. (1st)
1996 USA Outdoor Championships: Decathlon - 8726 pts. (1st)





 

Help Develop our Nation’s Best and Grow the Sport.Become a USATF Member today

  • Join Today

Official Sponsors

Official Suppliers

Official Technology Partners

Official Medical Network Partner

  • Contact Us
  • About USATF
  • Governance
  • Media Center
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
Copyright 2025 USA Track & Field  Privacy Policy  Website Terms of Use  Ad Choices