25 Facts About Adam Nelson

Adam McCright Nelson was born on July 7,1975 and is an American shot putter and Olympic gold medalist.

Adam Nelson is married to Laci Nelson and he has 2 daughters, Caroline and Lauren Nelson.

Adam Nelson attended The Lovett School in Atlanta where he was a letterman and a standout in football and track and field.

Adam Nelson graduated from Lovett in 1993 and moved on to Dartmouth College, graduating from the Ivy League school in 1997.

Adam Nelson was a member of Dartmouth's 1996 undefeated Ivy League champion team.

At Dartmouth, Adam Nelson served as President of Chi Heorot fraternity.

Adam Nelson earned a silver medal In the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Prior to the Games, Nelson was considered the favorite to win gold.

Adam Nelson had won the title in every major shot put event leading up to the Olympic Games that summer including the 2000 Olympic Trials.

Adam Nelson held the lead going into the final round, despite fouling throws in rounds 2,3,4 and 5.

Adam Nelson entered the ring for his final throw to break the tie.

Adam Nelson unleashed what looked to be initially a gold medal-winning 70-foot throw, but Nelson was flagged for stepping on the line to the left-front of the circle.

Adam Nelson protested vociferously to the officials at the time of the call, but later apologized for his emotional reaction.

Yuriy Bilonog was awarded the gold medal; Adam Nelson was awarded his second consecutive Olympic silver medal.

Adam Nelson's shot put Silver was the first track and field medal for the United States in the 2004 Summer Olympics.

At the 2005 World Athletics Championships, Adam Nelson won his first major world title with a throw of 21.73 meters.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Adam Nelson failed to throw a valid mark in the final.

At the 2009 and 2011 World Athletics Championships, Adam Nelson failed to medal in the finals, finishing 5th and 8th place, respectively.

Adam Nelson attempted to make the US Olympic Team for a fourth time at the 2012 United States Olympic Trials, but did not make the final round in wet conditions.

Adam Nelson received his gold medal from a United States Olympic Committee official at an airport food court in Atlanta.

In 2017, Adam Nelson joined Michael Phelps in speaking before a US Congressional committee examining anti-doping measures in international sporting events.

Adam Nelson went on to win the IAAF World Championships later that season.

Since retiring from formal athletic competition, Adam Nelson has trained top-level athletes in football, golf, baseball, and track and field.

Adam Nelson has worked for NBC Sports as an expert on field events.

Adam Nelson remains a strong advocate of clean sport competition and often speaks out against the use of performance-enhancing drugs in athletic competition.

In 2017, Adam Nelson moved to Houston with his wife and two kids, where he works for The D10, an events organization, that like the Olympic movement, has found ways to leverage physical performance to create a massive social impact, raising over $12 million for pediatric cancer research and treatment.