Steve Cram

He married Karen in 1983 but the marriage broke down after several years in 2001. He is presently in a relationship with former athlete Allison Curbishley. He has two children.

He suffered a personal tragedy in 2001 when his only brother Kevin died at the age of 39.

Stephen Cram was born on 14 October 1960 in Gateshead, England, to Bill and Mia. He had one younger brother, Kevin. His father was a police officer and his mother was of German origin. They were a close knit family.

From a young age he was taught the value of hard work. His father imbibed in the boys a strong sense of ethics and morals.

Cram was a lanky boy with good athletic abilities. He started running from a young age and earned a place in the British Olympic team in 1980 after finishing in second place to Steve Ovett in the mile at Crystal Palace. Cram proceeded to the final of the 1500 m at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games where he finished in 8th place.

Steve Cram received his first major breakthrough in 1982 when he won the 1500 m gold at the Commonwealth Games. He proceeded to win the gold at the 1982 European Championships in Athens as well.

He suffered some injuries in the early 1980s but recovered well in time for the 1983 World Championships in Helsinki where he beat United States’ Steve Scott and Morocco’s Saïd Aouita to clinch the gold in the men’s track race.

Over the years his professional rivalry with fellow Britons Sebastian Coe and Steve Ovett became well known. In 1984, he won the silver in the 1500 m at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, behind defending champion Coe. The rest of the season was severely hampered for Cram due to persistent injuries.

He recovered considerably by 1985 and set several personal best records that year: 800m - 1:42.88, 1000 m - 2:12.88, 1500 m - 3:29.67 and 2000 m - 4:51.39. His great form continued throughout 1986 and he won the 800 m at the 1986 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh beating Tom McKean and Peter Elliott in 1:43:22 - still the Commonwealth Games record.

At the 1986 European Championships in Stuttgart, he won the bronze in the 800 m. Disappointed at his performance at the 800 m, he worked harder in the following races and beat Coe to win the gold medal in the 1500 m.

In 1983, he was named the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

He won the United Press International Athlete of the Year in 1985.

He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1986 and Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2015 New Year Honours for services to sport.