Question 1

True or false: Randy Barnes holds the world record in the men's shot put at 23.12 meters.

Accepted Answer

True. He set the record in 1990 at 23.12m (75'10¼"), which still stands as the world record today.

Question 2

True or false: Randy Barnes was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the shot put.

Accepted Answer

False. He won silver in 1988 and gold in 1996, but never two golds. He was also stripped of a silver due to doping.

Question 3

True or false: Randy Barnes never competed in college track and field.

Accepted Answer

False. He competed for the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and won the NCAA indoor shot put title in 1988.

Question 4

True or false: Randy Barnes never competed in the World Championships due to injuries.

Accepted Answer

False. He competed in the 1993 World Championships, winning a bronze medal, and also in 1995.

Question 5

True or false: Barnes originally played basketball in high school before focusing on shot put.

Accepted Answer

True. He was a standout basketball player in high school, but his throwing talent led him to track and field.

Question 6

True or false: Randy Barnes once threw a shot put over 24 meters in an unofficial practice throw.

Accepted Answer

False. No verified throw over 23.12m exists; claims of 24m are unsubstantiated myths.

Question 7

True or false: Barnes tested positive for a banned substance and received a lifetime ban from athletics.

Accepted Answer

True. He tested positive for androstenedione in 1998, leading to a lifetime ban, though it was later reduced to two years.

Question 8

True or false: Barnes set his world record at a meet in Westwood, California.

Accepted Answer

True. He achieved the record on May 20, 1990, at the UCLA vs. USC dual meet in Westwood.

Randy Barnes Trivia Questions