Other names: JUANTORENA DANGER, Alberto

Born: 3 December 1950

Birthplace: Santiago de Cuba (Cuba)

Nationality: Cuba

Sport: Athletics

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Munich 1972

Montreal 1976

Moscow 1980

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 2

Other results:

Pan American Games

Silver: 3(75,79)

El Caballo

In 1972 Alberto Juantorena was narrowly eliminated in the semifinals of the 400m. He was unbeaten over the next two years. After two foot operations, he emerged as the favourite for the 1976 Olympics. Before that event was contested, Juantorena, who was known as El Caballo (The Horse) because of his three-metre stride, entered the 800m.

Although he had recorded the second-fastest time of the pre-Olympic season, Juantorena had little experience in the more tactical 800. In the Olympic final, he led throughout most of the race and, surprisingly, scored a decisive victory.

Three days later, he powered past Fred Newhouse in the last twenty metres of the 400m final and won his second gold medal. Juantorena is the only runner in Olympic history to achieve a 400/800 double victory. He was also the first runner from a non-English-speaking country to win either event.