Aries Merritt
He smashed the 110m hurdles world record just months after a near-career-ending kidney diagnosis, capturing Olympic gold on borrowed time.
Born 1985 (age 41)·American hurdler·Birthday: July 24·Millennials
Biography
Aries Merritt's story is one of breathtaking speed shadowed by profound resilience. In 2012, he seemed unstoppable, peaking at the perfect moment. At a Diamond League meet in Brussels that September, he ran the 110m hurdles in 12.80 seconds, a world record that still stands, shattering a barrier many thought was years away. Weeks later, he clinched Olympic gold in London. But the triumph was laced with a secret struggle; he had been diagnosed with a rare and serious kidney disease. By 2015, his body was failing, and he received a kidney transplant from his sister. What followed was a grueling comeback attempt, not for more medals, but as a testament to human spirit. Merritt returned to compete at the world championship level post-transplant, becoming a symbol of perseverance far beyond the track.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Aries was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Aries Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Aries's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Set the 110m hurdles world record of 12.80 seconds in Brussels on September 7, 2012.
- Won the gold medal in the 110m hurdles at the 2012 London Olympics.
- Became the first athlete to win a world championship medal (bronze in 2015) after a kidney transplant.
Did You Know?
His world record was set the day before he was officially told he needed a kidney transplant.
He competed in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials just nine months after his transplant surgery.
He was a talented junior hurdler but initially focused on academics, running for the University of Tennessee.
“I'm not running for times anymore. I'm running to show people that you can overcome anything.”
