Carmelo Ríos

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameCarmelo•Ríos Figueroa
Used nameCarmelo•Ríos
Born11 October 1959
Died21 October 2022
Measurements172 cm / 62 kg
NOC Puerto Rico

Biography

Puerto Rican distance runner Carmelo Ríos was a specialist in the 3,000 metres steeplechase, winning four national titles in the 1980s. Ríos won the silver medal in the event at the 1983 Pan American Games in Caracas and a year later he represented Puerto Rico at the Los Angeles Olympics.

Ríos was born in Puerto Rico in 1959 with his family later moving to New York before settling in Los Angeles. From 1980 to 1984 he studied at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, setting school records in the steeplechase and the 10,000 metres. Ríos won three conference titles on the track along with a cross-country title. He also won two NCAA National titles in the steeplechase and the 5,000 metres, and was a three-time All American.

After his athletics career Ríos worked as a health specialist for the Santa Clara County Health Department. In 2013 he was inducted into the Cal Poly Hall of Fame.

Personal Best: 3000S – 8:28.89 (1983).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Athletics PUR Carmelo Ríos
3,000 metres Steeplechase, Men (Olympic) 12 h2 r2/3

Special Notes