Félix Sánchez at the World Championship Athletics 2009 in Berlin
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Personal information | |
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Nationality | United States |
Born |
New York City, United States |
August 30, 1977
Residence | California, United States |
Years active | 1999–2016 |
Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
Weight | 73 kg (161 lb) |
Sport | |
Sport | Running |
Event(s) | 400 meter hurdles, 4 × 400 meters relay |
College team | USC Trojans |
Medal record
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Félix Sánchez, (born August 30, 1977) is a retired American track and field athlete of Dominican descent who competed for the Dominican Republic. He specialized in the 400 meter hurdles. He is a two-time Olympic gold medallist, winning gold in 2004 and 2012, and was also World Champion in 2001 and 2003. Just before turning 36, he set the Masters M35 World Record with a time of 48.10. Sanchez acquired many nicknames: "Super Felix", "the Invincible", "Superman", and "the Dictator".
The Félix Sánchez Olympic Stadium, the Dominican Republic’s largest stadium, is named after him.
Sánchez retired in April 2016, citing the recent birth of his son.
Sánchez was born in New York City to Dominican-born parents and was raised in San Diego, California. He attended University City High School and San Diego Mesa College in the city, and then went on to study psychology at the University of Southern California in 1998. Competing for University of Southern California's USC Trojans, he was a Pac-10 champion (400 m hurdles) and All-American relay champion (1600 m) in 1999.