Additional reporting by Julian Rangel
James Logan has a wide range of sports from Football, Baseball, Basketball, as well as a very special track and field team. Many other schools around the country say they have an amazing team, but how often do other schools offer the chance to rub shoulders with an Olympian? How many students from other schools get the chance to ask them questions on how they made it to the top of their field?
The Willie Davenport Clinic did just that. It gave Logan students the opportunity to ask questions and learn from former Olympians and coaches.
The Willie Davenport Clinic brought together Olympian speakers, athletes, and over 50 Olympic coaches. The athletes in attendance read like a who’s who in success: Kevin Young – World Record Holder 400m Hurdles, Mike Powell – World Record Holder long jump, Stephanie Brown – 2008 Gold Medalist Discus, Reynaldo Brown – Olympic high jumper of the 1968 Olympics, and Eddie Hart – Worlds Fastest Human in 1972, to name a few.
On February 7th, some of these amazing Olympians came to Logan for a Q&A assembly with students. Then on Saturday, February 9th a track and field clinic kicked off Olympian Week. Olympians visited East Bay schools to perform speeches, have dinner, and of course answer many questions. Olympians even took it to the track and gave tips and advice on how to do certain events, such as hurdles and long jump.
In track and field, it’s a long process to make it to the top of the game. Through hard work and dedication, it takes many years to make it there. This applied to former Olympian Reynaldo Brown, who participated in the high jump of the 1968 Mexico City Olympics. Brown spoke of a number of topics including inspiration and dreams.
“I wanted to do something great as a youngster,” Brown said. “My goal and my dream was to become an Olympian, and I wanted to do it in high school.”
Brown did just that, becoming the youngest high jumper and youngest member of the 1968 Olympics at age 17 as a junior in high school.
“I wanted to do something that people thought couldn’t be done,” Brown said. “I wanted to prove people wrong, that if you work hard you could meet your goal.”
Brown finished in 5th place in the 1968 Mexico Olympics and proved to many people around the world that with hard work and dedication, you can do anything.
Another Olympian that pushed hard and really wanted to meet his goal was former Olympian, Eddie Hart. Eddie Hart was a sprinter in the 4×100 meter relay at the 1972 Olympics in Germany.
“I set a goal very early on,” Hart said. “When you win the 100 meters at the Olympic games, you get a title. That title was the world’s fastest human, and that really captivated me. I really wanted that title; that was my motivation.”
Hart went on to win the gold medal in the 1972 Olympics in the 4 X 100 relay and gained the title he had dreamed of – the world’s fastest human. His team went on to set a world record of running a 38.19.
The Willie Davenport Clinic was a huge success and helped kids at Logan improve their skills along with helping them find their motivation.
