Marilyn Okoro
MARILYN OKORO OLY
Athletics
D.O.B: 23/ 09/ 1984
Nationality: British
Height: 167cm
Weight: 59kg
Event: 800m (Personal Best: 1:58.45)
Other Disciplines: 1500m (Personal Best: 4:11:84), 600m (Personal Best: (NR) 1:24:36), 400m (Personal Best: 52:02)
Home Town: North London
Coach: Johnny Gray
Club: Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers
Training Venue: Lee Valley Athletics Centre/ University of Central Orlando
Marilyn grew up in North West London, she took up running in school aged 11 simply to get fit for her first loved sport; lacrosse. Marilyn was also a keen tennis and netball player. Today, Marilyn believes that her diverse background in sport is reflected in her versatility in athletics. Whilst she specialised in the 800m, she also competed in the 400m and 1500m.
It wasn’t until Bath University that she chose to specialise in Athletics. Here was where much of her early global success in track began, captaining the team and winning an 800m Bronze Medal at the World Student Games in 2005. The following year she was selected to represent England at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia.
Marilyn went on to represent the Great Britain and Northern Ireland or the England team for 9 consecutive years. Highlights to date include a World Championship Bronze, European Bronze and Silver and Olympic Finalist.
Early in 2021, at the age of 36, Marilyn announced her retirement and has since dedicated herself to her charity work and inspiring others.
Outside of athletics, Marilyn enjoys singing (Gospel, Jazz & Soul), reading, travelling and spending quality time with her family, friends and of course not forgetting her ‘favourite’ Rocco (pet). She is a fluent French speaker and conversant in Spanish.
Marilyn is a 5 times 800m National Champion and is the current National Record Holder for 600m and 4x400m.
International Honours:
2014: Team England Commonwealth Games Team Member, Glasgow
2013: British 800m Champion & World Championship Team member, Moscow
2012: Great Britain & Northern Ireland Olympian, 4x400m, London
2011: European Indoor Championships (Bronze 800m, Silver Medallist 4x400m)
2010: European Championships (Bronze Medallist 4x400m)
2009: World Championships Finalist, 5th European Indoor Championships (800m), Silver (4x400m)
2008: British 800m Champion, Great Britain & Northern Ireland Olympian (6th Semi Finalist (800m & 5th 4x400m), World Athletics Final (800m)
2007: World Championships Semi Finalist (800m), Bronze Medallist (4x400m), World Athletics Final (800m), European Indoor Championships (800m)
2006: Commonwealth Games Finalist (800m), European Championships (Semi Finalist (400m), 4th (4x400m).
2005: Bronze World University Games (800m), 4th (4×400), European U23 Championships 4th (800m), Silver (4x400m)
“Working with Mintridge enables me to give back through my sporting achievements to the next generation. Whilst nurturing and helping them develop their athletic ability as a mentor, I endeavour to also help them build their confidence as individuals.”
Marilyn qualified as a Mental Health First Aider in February 2021
