FEATURE: Track & Field, Olympic Gold Medal
SPECIALITIES: Convention/Trade Show, Corporate Event, Corporate Hospitality, Corporate Video/Infomercial, Endorsement/Spokesperson, Fundraiser, Golf Outing, Product Launch/Promotion, Public Service Announcement, Public Event, Public Relations Campaign, Satellite Media Tour, Speaking Engagement, Personal Appearance
CHARITIES: Dan O’Brien Youth Foundation, Crayola outdoor challenge
BIO: Dan O’Brien’s was born on July 18th, 1966, in Portland, Oregon, and lived in an orphanage until he was adopted into a large, multiethnic family in 1968. He was selected as a high school decathlon All-American from Klamath Falls, from which he would take his talents to the University of Idaho, eventually graduating in 1989.
Continuing his career in track and field, Dan placed second in his first international meet (the 1990 Goodwill Games). Soon thereafter, the world took note of his immense talent after he won the Decathlon in the 1991 United States Track and Field National Championships. Entering the meet in incredible shape, Dan proceeded to convincingly dominate each of the decathlon’s ten events. He shattered the 15 year old American record of track and field legend Bruce Jenner’s and restored America’s supremacy in the event. Dan continued to prove himself as one of the sport’s best by winning the decathlon World Championship in 1992. The following year he successfully defended his world decathlon title and became the world indoor heptathlon champion by scoring a world-record 6476 points. He continued with decathlon victories at the 1994 Goodwill Games and the 1995 World Championships.
Despite all his success, however, Dan battled numerous injuries, and Olympic Gold had eluded him thus far. But Dan persevered, trained harder, and eventually his efforts paid off. Going in as the favorite, Dan O’Brien scored 8824 points at the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 to win the gold medal.
Dan O’Brien continued to dominate the sport he loved, but injuries would eventually catch up to him, as a torn tendon in his left foot prevented him from participating in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. Nonetheless, Dan O’Brien has become one of the more popular figures in American track and field history, and is one of its great ambassadors. Dan has appeared in a popular TV advertising campaign with Reebok, advertisements for Versace, and is frequently a commentator for track and field events on television.
Dan was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in 2005, the University of Idaho Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, and has been tagged “The World’s Greatest Athlete” during his career. Currently, Dan owns Gold Medal Acceleration (a gym in Scottsdale), and is a volunteer track coach at Arizona State University. He is available for speaking engagements, autograph signings and product launches.
APPEARANCES: ESPN, Perfect Parts, Battle of the Network Stars, GMA, Hunter, Late Show with David Letterman, Pros Vs. Joes, Starsky & Hutch, The Arsenio Hall Show
WEBSITE: www.danobrien.com
WHO REPRESENTS DAN O’BRIEN: Celebrity track and field star Dan O’Brien can be hired for endorsements and events in roles such as corporate appearances, endorsements, speaking and autograph signing. To contact, hire or book Dan O’Brien regarding your specific engagement request please fill out our Celebrity Booking Agent Contact Form.
