Kirk Baptiste

Kirk Baptiste had a short career, winning a silver medal in the 200 metres at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, after finishing behind Carl Lewis. Baptiste also won a gold medal in the 200 at the 1987 World Indoor Championships. He competed for the USA at the 1985 World Cup, placing fourth in the 100 and being disqualified for a lane violation in the 200. In 1984 he set a world best mark of 31.70 for 300 metres, an event not recognized for world record purposes by the IAAF (later World Athletics).

Baptiste was US Champion in the 100 and 200 in 1985 and was third in the 200 in 1986. At the NCAA Meet Baptiste won the 200 metres in 1984 and 1985 while running for the University of Houston. In the 1980s he also spent time as a male model. He later developed HIV and had several years of difficult health issues before dying in 2022.

Personal Best: 200 – 19.96 (1984).