The Australian sporting community is mourning the loss of Kerry O’Brien, one of South Australia's most celebrated Olympians, who has died at the age of 79 following a long battle with dementia.
From Port Augusta to the Podium
Born in the small town of Quorn in 1946 and raised in Port Augusta, O’Brien discovered a passion for running that propelled him to the pinnacle of international athletics. Emerging as a formidable distance runner in the 1960s, he showed a particular aptitude for the gruelling 3000m steeplechase.
His first major success came at the 1966 Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica, where he secured a silver medal for Australia. This performance earned him a spot on the team for the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. There, at just 22 years old, O’Brien delivered a career-defining run, finishing a agonisingly close fourth in the steeplechase final.
A World Record and Unmatched Dominance
O’Brien's momentum continued to build. In 1970, he achieved global fame by breaking the world record in the steeplechase at a meet in Berlin. This record stood for two years, cementing his status as a world-beater. He reinforced his elite standing with another appearance for Australia at the 1970 Commonwealth Games.
Domestically, his dominance was staggering. He won nine Australian national titles across the steeplechase, 5000m, and cross-country events. His supremacy in the steeplechase on home soil was unchallenged for decades, and the South Australian record he set remained unbroken for an incredible 54 years.
Selected for his second Olympics in Munich in 1972, his campaign was unfortunately derailed by injuries and a heavy fall during competition. These setbacks led to his retirement from elite athletics in 1973.
A Legacy Beyond the Track
After hanging up his spikes, O’Brien remained a pivotal figure in sport. He became a respected breeder and administrator in Australian horse racing, notably enjoying success with the horse Augusta Proud. He also held key governance roles within South Australian racing.
In 1978, he opened the Kerry O’Brien Fitness Centre in Adelaide, and his immense contribution to athletics was formally honoured with his induction into the South Australian Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
Sport SA paid tribute, stating his story was "one of perseverance, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of excellence" and that he "inspired generations of athletes." O’Brien is survived by his partner Juliet and his three daughters, Danielle, Kate, and Shannon.
