More on the Olympics: Quincy Hall's win in the 400 meters

 

One of the biggest surprises of the Paris Olympics track and field (ahem, Athletics) was Quincy Hall's win in the 400 meter race. The Washington Post had a great article about the race, and about him.

Quincy Hall, to whom nothing’s been given, took the Olympic 400 meters

"The latest American track hero of the Paris Olympics was self-made. Hall attended College of the Sequoias out of high school. He trains without partners, often by himself while talking to the coach he met at junior college, Curtis Allen, on the phone. Hall switched full-time from the 400-meter hurdles to the 400 meters just two years ago. On Wednesday night, as he ran a victory lap in bare feet, he considered it the best decision of his life."

"Hall thought about the people who doubted him. He thought about his two brothers who died young. He thought about the mother who raised him — “his heart,” high school coach Caesar Morales said. He thought about his two daughters — Abri, 7, and A’lani, 2. He thought about the hot practices running by himself. He remembered how it felt when he worked two jobs to pay tuition at a junior college."

If you didn't see it, it was an amazing finishing sprint after a punishing hard pace (full video at the link). He's not the most elegant runner, but he sure has guts and heart. He deserved the medal, and I hope it brings him a long measure of satisfaction -- but I hope he stays hungry for more.