Posted: October 11, 2006

Athletics: Gold medalists to speak in Stamford, Conn., as part of USATF's "Be A Champion"

Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes and World Champion athletes Lauryn Williams and Bershawn Jackson will speak to hundreds of students at Stamford's Dolan Middle School at 10 a.m. on Friday, October 13, as part of USA Track & Field's "Be A Champion" program, presented by Health Net. They will address healthy lifestyles, keeping active, staying drug free and living with integrity, and will answer questions from the students and lead them in reciting the "Be A Champion" pledge. A major initiative by USA Track & Field and the American College of Sports Medicine, "Be A Champion" facilitates direct interaction between Olympic medalists and school-aged children around the country in order to positively impact their lifestyles and decision-making. Joanna Hayes is the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the women's 100-meter hurdles and one of USATF's leaders in community outreach. She set an Olympic record in Athens with her time of 12.37 seconds, and won the 2004 Jesse Owens Award as the nation's top female track athlete. Hayes and her family have a decades-long history of working on a nonprofit and volunteer level with children, at-risk individuals and others in need in the Los Angeles area. Lauryn Williams is the reigning world champion in the women's 100-meter dash and is the Olympic silver medalist in the event. Known for her ability to rise to the occasion, Williams has set an example on and off the track by finishing her college degree early, speaking at the University of Miami commencement ceremonies, and continuing with her college internship even after winning her Olympic silver medal. In late 2005 and early 2006 she donated thousands of dollars to hurricane victims. One of the most inspiring of Team USA's athletes, Bershawn Jackson is the world champion in the men's 400-meter hurdles. He has become the world's #1 athlete in his event despite coming from a difficult background, and even as an elite athlete, his 5-8 stature is much less than his competitors. But his determination and his commitment to his family have made him one of the sport's most admired athletes. Who: Olympic gold medalist Joanna Hayes; world champions Lauryn Williams and Bershawn Jackson What: USA Track & Field "Be A Champion" school visit When: 10 a.m., Friday, October 13 Where: Dolan Middle School, 51 Toms Road, Stamford, CT For more information on Be A Champion, visit USATF.org.

Comment on this story.

Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest