In an electrifying performance that would have won the flat 400m title as recently as the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Young became the first and only man in history to shatter the 47-second barrier by winning the 1992 Olympic men's 400m hurdles gold medal in the astounding world record time of 46.78 seconds. In using his unusual technique of switching between 12 and 13-stride intervals between hurdles, Young bettered the world record of 47.02 set by Edwin Moses in 1983 despite slamming the final hurdle and raising his arms in triumph prior to reaching the finish. His record still stands and he remains the only athlete ever to break the 47-second barrier. As a collegian Young was nicknamed "Spiderman" by his teammates at UCLA, where he won the 1987 and 1988 NCAA 400m hurdles crowns. After winning the 400m hurdles at the 1993 USA Outdoor Championships, later that summer Young won the gold medal at the World Outdoor Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. Records Held World Record: 400 m hurdles - 46.78 Championships 1992 Olympic Games: 400 m hurdles - 46.78 (1st) 1993 World Outdoor Championships: 400 m hurdles - 47.18 (1st) 1992 USA Outdoor Championships: 400 m hurdles - 47.89 (1st) 1993 USA Outdoor Championships: 400 m hurdles - 47.69 (1st) 1987 NCAA Outdoor Championships: 400 m hurdles - 48.90 (1st) 1988 NCAA Outdoor Championships: 400 m hurdles - 47.85 (1st) Occupations Involved with a fitness/performance company. Involved with children’s books.