Adam Kszczot

Adam Kszczot (pronounced [ˈadam ˈkʂt͡ʂɔt]; born 2 September 1989) is a Polish middle-distance runner, who specializes in the 800 metres. His biggest achievements include silver medals at the 2014 World Indoor Championships and 2015 World Championships in addition to multiple medals on European level. He twice competed at the Olympic Games, in 2012 and 2016, narrowly missing the final on both occasions.

Kszczot was born 2 September 1989 in Opoczno. He worked at his parents' farm when he was young.

Kszczot reached the international level after competing in local and then national events. He won the bronze medal at 2007 European Junior Championships, finished fourth at the 2008 World Junior Championships and won the 2009 European U23 Championships. He finished fourth at the 2009 European Indoor Championships competed at the 2009 World Championships without reaching the final.

Kszczot won the bronze medal at the 2010 World Indoor Championships and the 2010 European Championships, as well as the gold at the 2011 European Indoor Championships. He reached the final at the 2011 World Championships finishing sixth. His outdoor personal best is 1:43.30 minutes, achieved on 10 September 2011 in Rieti.

Kszczot broke Paweł Czapiewski's ten-year-old Polish indoor record at the 2012 Meeting Pas de Calais. His time of 1:44.57 minutes made him the third fastest indoor runner ever after Wilson Kipketer and Yuriy Borzakovskiy. Vazel, Pierre-Jean (2012-02-15). With this result Kszczot went to the 2012 World Indoor Championships as a medal favourite, he, however, finished disappointing fourth. In his Olympic debut in London he placed third in his semifinal round failing to qualify for the final.

He started well the 2013 season by successfully defending his title at the European Indoor Championships, the first man to do so in 42 years.

On August 15, 2014 he won the men’s 800m final at the 2014 European Athletics Championships with a time of 1:44:15 after a blistering last 100m sprint.