Martyn Rooney
Born in Croydon, SurreyBorn on 3rd of April 1987
Died in 000
Martyn Rooney showed his potential as a 400m runner throughout his junior athletics career but has hinted that his long term future may lie over the 800m distance. Despite these comments, it was for the 400m discipline that Rooney was selected to represent Team GB at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, running in both the 400m individual and 4 x 400m relay events.
In his early days Rooney was training and competing at the Middle distances; 800 m and 1500 m and doing cross country throughout the Winter. His ability in the one lap 400m sprint was discovered by chance when he stood in to make up points at a London fixture.
Rooney was in the Great Britain team at the European Juniors, held in Lithuania in July 2005. He won the silver medal in the individuals and a gold with the relay team. After that performance he was asked to compete in the senior's 4x400 m men's relay team at the IAAF World Championships, held that year in Helsinki, Finland. Martyn was originally selected only for running in the heat. However, he impressed the GB coaches with a time of 44.9 seconds and so he was selected for the final. Despite completing his leg in 44.8 seconds, Martyn and his team mates came in overall fourth.
In the 2006 Commonwealth Games held in Melbourne, Australia Rooney represented England in the 400m event. Although he came fifth in the final with a 45.51 lap, his time of 45.35 in his semi-final set a new British Junior Record. The record had stood for over 20 years, having been set by Roger Black.
Rooney took two bronze medals at the 2006 World Junior Championships held in Beijing. The first bronze came in the individual 400m sprint with a time of 45.87. The British relay team finished third to earn Rooney's second bronze.
Rooney is currently studying a foundation in Sports science and management at Loughborough College, while training with Coach Nick Dakin of Loughborough, and Mike Fleet of Croydon Harriers.
Rooney supports Crystal Palace football club and is partner of Great Britain pole vaulter Kate Dennison. His cousin Kieran Martyn played U21 football for the Republic of Ireland.
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