Email This StoryBringing home Olympic gold
Sept. 3, 2004By WES SPENCER, sports writer
At The University of Texas at Arlington meet last season Jeremy Wariner and teammate Darold Williamson decided to joke around by wearing sunglasses at night. That decision should prove to be a profitable one for Wariner.
|
Wariner and his family decided this is the best window of opportunity to capitalize on his accomplishments. Wariner already owns the Baylor record in the 400-meter dash and won both the NCAA indoor and outdoor championships, so he decided it is time to take his career to another level. Hart couldn't agree more.
"He couldn't afford to miss the opportunity to sell right now," Hart said. "I'm seeing offers now I wouldn't have believed. We're having mothers call in because their daughters and sons want to know what sunglasses they were."
Wariner was wearing a pair of Nike sunglasses.
Although he hasn't yet signed any endorsements, Wariner has hired former Baylor Bear Michael Johnson to represent him.
"Me, Coach Hart, and Michael Johnson sat down one day after the 400 was over and talked about it," Wariner said. "Johnson knows a lot of the meet directors and what meets to run in. We all agreed that it would be best if him and Coach Hart would be one team, basically they're both my agents."
Hart will also advise him in his professional career, stating that he plans to be in Beijing for the 2008 Summer Games.
Wariner said he has no long-term plans at this point, but did say he has been invited to appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show and Late Night With David Letterman.
However, before Wariner gets his hands on the endorsement money, the Baylor and Waco communities honored Wariner, Williamson, and Hart, who is entering his 42nd year at Baylor, Thursday at the Ferrell Special Events Center.
The program began with the crowd giving Wariner and Williamson a rousing, 30-second standing ovation as the two entered the Ferrell Center. After the crowd settled down, Wes Bailey, chairman of the athletic committee for the Baylor Board of Regents, summed up in five words what everyone in attendance was thinking: "Clyde Hart, you da man!"
During the ceremony, Mayor Mae Jackson, County Judge Jim Lewis and State Rep. John Mabry, D-Waco, each presented Wariner and Williamson a certificate of proclamation to honor their Olympic achievements.
The ceremony ended with a showing of both the 400-meter individual and the 4x400 relay. The last 100 meters of each race brought a cheer from the crowd.
Thursday's ceremony capped off what has been a whirlwind of a month and a half for Wariner and Williamson. Both athletes expressed their happiness to be home and wanting to return to a more routine life.
"Right now I'm just trying to get my classes situated and get my grades up," Wariner said. "It was a long month; I'm just happy to be back. I missed seeing my friends and family everyday."
The only change he will make, Wariner said, is he won't be running for Baylor this season.
Williamson also expressed his relief to be back home and desire to regain a sense of normalcy.
"It was a rough ride for me; there is no place like our country. But winning that gold medal and experiencing the Olympics was well worth the trip," Williamson said. "I'm just waiting to get back to normal. I'm looking forward to continuing with school and the next track season."
While classes should provide some normal routine for Wariner and Williamson, for better or for worse the Olympic gold medalists have gained a level of fame that is not soon to fade away. Wariner said he has seen students stop in their tracks, look back and say "that's the gold medal winner." Prior to the Olympics, Wariner and Williamson could have blended into any crowd on campus.
Students after the ceremony admitted to not knowing who Wariner or Williamson were before the Olympics, but expressed their gratitude toward the runners for the sense of pride and honor they have brought to Baylor, Waco and the United States.
"They show what Baylor is all about," Cameron Rinard, an Abilene senior, said.
More News ...
