My father was an all-American football player..

I always got my work done before playing..

I didn't get an athletics scholarship at a major school..

I ran my first race the end of March, 1976. And less than four months later I was Olympic champion. But I had the background. It's not like I just ra….

I wanted to go to medical school. But, I never got a college scholarship..

I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation - in particular my stretching..

I went to Moorehouse College. There was no track and field there..

You have to have already convinced yourself that you are going to win no matter what other influences are..

I was always more of an academic than a jock..

No one runs fast without an extreme amount of training. Like today, you see kids walking around dribbling a basketball. I had a bag with track shoes ….

One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition..

I always had to keep improving my skills in order to remain competitive and keep winning..

My father was also a principal of a school and mother was a curriculum advisor. Both were educators..

There are so many people afraid of a task. They get so overwhelmed by the obstacles in front of them that they shy away from reaching beyond a positi….

Both parents supported my becoming a world class athlete..

I used biomechanics to save time when I was competing..

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 l….

I overcame size with mechanics..

In digital world, sport provides opportunity to bring people together..

Concentration is why some athletes are better than others. You develop that concentration in training and concentrate in a meet..

I was always a mean and lean athlete - not tall - not large..