Noah Kiprono Ngeny was born on 2 November 1978 and is a Kenyan former athlete, Olympic gold medalist at 1500 m at the 2000 Summer Olympics, and world record holder in the 1000 m He ran the second-fastest mile ever.
16 Facts About Noah Ngeny
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Noah Ngeny played volleyball during his school years and did not start running until 1996.
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On 7 July 1999, in Roma, Noah Ngeny was second to Hicham El Guerrouj when the latter set the world record for the mile run.
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Noah Ngeny stayed close to El Guerrouj down the stretch to finish at 3:43.40, still the second-fastest mile ever run as of 2023, and almost a full second inside the old world record of Noureddine Morceli.
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On 24 August 1999, Noah Ngeny took the 1500 m silver medal in the IAAF 1999 World Championships in Athletics in Seville, Spain, behind the reigning world champion El Guerrouj.
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On 5 September 1999, Noah Ngeny set the world record 2:11.96 over 1000 m in Rieti, Italy, breaking the 18-years-standing record 2:12.18 set by Sebastian Coe in 1981.
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In 1999 Noah Ngeny recorded six sub 3:30 clockings for 1500 m and established himself as the closest rival to world champion and world record holder El Guerrouj.
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On 11 August 2000, Noah Ngeny finished second to El Guerrouj in the 1500 m at the Weltklasse Zurich meet in a time of 3:28.12, making him the Kenyan record holder and third-fastest ever in the event.
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Noah Ngeny held on until the finish line, causing one of the greatest upsets at the Sydney Olympics.
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Noah Ngeny became the third Kenyan to win the 1500 m crown following Kip Keino and Peter Rono.
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Noah Ngeny posted career bests of 1:44.49 for 800 m and 3:28.12 for 1500 m, en route to his Olympic triumph.
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Noah Ngeny was dropped from the Kenyan team for the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton after defying instructions from the national federation to return home from Britain where he trained.
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Noah Ngeny returned to Australia in 2001 to win the Goodwill Games Mile in Brisbane.
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Noah Ngeny competed sparsely in 2003 and 2004 recording a best time of 3:33.38 but failing in his attempt to qualify for the Kenyan Olympic team, and was not able to defend his title in Athens.
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Noah Ngeny did not run at the Kenyan trials for the 2003 World Championships because of the injuries.
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Noah Ngeny announced his official retirement from international athletics on 22 November 2006.