 I always had to keep improving my skills in order to remain competitive and keep winning. |
| Lots of people let it go by and never accomplish what they want. I just wanted to see what I could do. |
| I went to Moorehouse College. There was no track and field there. |
| In particular, I studied German and Russian biomechanics. |
| My father was an all-American football player. |
| Both parents supported my becoming a world class athlete. |
| The joint lubrication was not what it was when I was competing, and I decided that not having arthritis or rheumatism for the rest of my life was a lot more important to me than returning to the track. |
| Stretching was a major part of my preparation. |
| I used biomechanics to save time when I was competing. |
| My father was also a principal of a school and mother was a curriculum advisor. Both were educators. |
| I didn't get an athletics scholarship at a major school. |
| I was always a mean and lean athlete - not tall - not large. |
| I always got my work done before playing. |
| I overcame size with mechanics. |
| One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition. |
| In digital world, sport provides opportunity to bring people together. |
| My concentration level blocks out everything. Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet. |
| I wanted to go to medical school. But, I never got a college scholarship. |
| I was always more of an academic than a jock. |
| I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation - in particular my stretching. |
