Steve Cram sprang onto the international athletics stage in 1978 when he ran a mile in a world best time for a 17-year-old.
He became the world's number one for 1500m in 1982-83, 1985-86 and in 1988. Despite many injury problems Cram completed a major championship hat-trick with Commonwealth, European and World titles at 1500m in 1982-83 and went on to gain Olympic silver behind Sebastian Coe in 1984.
The passionate Sunderland fan reached his peak with three world records in 19 days in 1985. The first came in Nice on 16 July, when he beat Saïd Aouita as both men became the first to better 3 mins 30 secs for 1500m. In Olso, he took the mile record at the Bislett Games and a week later he added the 2000m in Budapest.
He was voted BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 1983 and received an MBE in 1986. He has since become a successful television commentator, including Eurosport, Channel 4 and now the BBC. Last year he managed to complete the London Marathon while commentating.
