Track and Field Black History

A Conversation with Sanjay Ayre: Olympic and World Champion in the 4x400m for Jamaica

Many people tend to forget about the 400m during the early 2000s between when Michael Johnson retired and when Jeremy Wariner came on the scene. But Sanjay Ayre of Jamaica was an integral part of the event during that time period.

Ayre made his first Olympic team in 2000, at just 19 years old and went on to win a silver medal as part of the 4x400m relay, and was later part of a consistent Jamaican contingent that won relay medals in 2001, 2003 and 2005.

In our conversation, we dive into his upbringing in Jamaica, migrating to New York city on his own, the landscape of the 400m when he competed as well as the opportunity for Jamaican athletes in the 400m today. We also discuss some events he's looking forward to at these upcoming world championships in Oregon and the success he has had as a coach, in his businesses and in various community programs.

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A Brief Conversation with 3-Time Olympian Tonja Buford-Bailey

Tonja Buford-Bailey is a 3 time Olympian in the 400m Hurdles, having competed at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Games. She won a Bronze medal at those 1996 Atlanta Games, and was also part of a legendary photo finish race with American teammate Kim Batten in 1995 where both ladies went under the previous world record. Since retiring from the track, Buford-Bailey has become one of the most successful coaches in the sport, coaching at the University of Illinois as well as the University of Texas. She now works with Pro athletes such as Gabby Thomas, Tamara Clark, Tynia Gaither and others.

In our brief conversation, we dive into her attending the University of Illinois, transitioning from college to professional, how she supports her athletes at different stages of their careers, the challenges of moving from being a college coach to pro coach as well as some of her role models.

A Brief Conversation with 4-time Olympian Aliann Pompey of Guyana

Aliann Pompey of Guyana is a 4 time Olympian having competed in the 400m at the 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 Games. Her career on the track was highlighted by her longevity having not only competed at 4 Olympic Games, but also 6 World Championships, 5 World Indoor Championships and 3 Commonwealth Games all between 2000 and and 2012.

In addition to her accolades on the track, Pompey has served on various athlete commissions and committees and has created the AP Invitational in Guyana which has been part of the World Athletics Continental Tour.

Currently, she serves as the Director of Track & Field/Cross Country at St Johns. University In our brief conversation, we chat about some of the things she has been doing for athletes in Guyana, her transition from college to pro and how she helps her athletes transition into the world post college as well as some of her role models and the benefits of Title IX.

A Conversation with Judi Brown Clarke | 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist in the 400mH

Judi Brown Clarke is the 1984 Olympic silver medalist in the 400mH at a time when the Women's event was still in its infancy on the international stage, so she was one of the pioneers in the event. She also won the 400mH at the Pan-American games in 1983 and 1987. But even more than an Athlete, Judi Brown Clarke has been an integral part of politics, education, science, technology, and has been focused on leadership and equity in the many years since her career on the track.

In our conversation, we dive into all of that and more, including her background growing up in the Midwest, the effects of title IX on her career and other women as well as the intersection of politics and sports. We really dive into the importance of travel and the global experiences she has had from being in Venezuela and experiencing a country of Black and Brown people for the first time, to crossing Checkpoint Charlie at the Berlin Wall in the 1980s.

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A Conversation with Joetta | 4-Time Olympian in the 800m

Joetta is a 4-time Olympian in the 800m, having made every team between 1988-2000, and one of the most consistent athletes in the sport, having ranked 22 consecutive years in the US top-10. More than just an athlete, Joetta is an Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker and mother of NCAA Champion Talitha Diggs. We recorded this conversation a week before Talitha went on to win the 400m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

In our conversation, we dive into various topics including growing up in New Jersey, the impact of Title IX on her life, the legendary Clark sisters 1-2-3 at the 2000 Olympic Trials, the differences between professional track for women then vs now as well as her daughter Talitha Diggs.

 

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A Conversation With Coaches | Dennis Mitchell, Alleyne Francique, Randall Cunningham, John Smith

At the 2022 Prefontaine Classic, we had the chance to speak with multiple coaches who were legends in their own right before they transitioned into coaching:

 

Dennis Mitchell

• 3-time Olympian in the 100m in the 80s and 90s
• Currently leads Star Athletics and coaches the likes of Sha'carri Richardson and Kenny Bednarek

 

Alleyne Francique

• 2-time 400m World indoor gold medalist for Granada's in 2004 and 2006 
• Coaches Fred Kerley among other athletes

 

Randall Cunningham

• Former NFL legend, on the Philadelphia Eagles during the 80s and 90s
• Father and current coach for Vashti Cunningham

 

John Smith

• 440 yard world record holder and 1971 Pan American Games Gold medalist
• Legendary coach for UCLA, HSI and currently coaches Michael Cherry

 

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A Brief Conversation with Wallace Spearmon at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic

Wallace Spearmon is a 4-time World Championship medalist, and still one of the fastest 200m runners in the history of the sport. 

He talks with us about recently transitioning into his post track career and now having the opportunity to work with current athletes to help fix some of the problems he experienced while he was competing as an athlete. We also dive into his personality on the track, role models and his support system while competing as well as a discussion on if more prominent sprint clubs and rivalries are needed in Track & Field now.

 

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A Conversation with Coach Lawrence ”Boogie” Johnson at the 2022 Prefontaine Classic

Lawrence Boogie Johnson, also known as the Hurdle Mechanic, talks with us about his career, not only as a coach but also as an athlete at the University of Arkansas where he ran the 400m for the Razorbacks. He went on to have one of the greatest coaching careers in history, working with athletes from Queen Harrison-Claye and Brianna Rollins McNeal, to Dalilah Muhammad and Gianna Woodruff. In addition to hurdles, he works with sprinters such as Bryce Deadmon and Brittany Brown.

In our conversation, Coach Johnson discusses his time at Arkansas, his role models growing up as well as provides insight on how athletes could prepare themselves for life after track.

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A Conversation with 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Lewis

Steve Lewis is a 3-time Olympic Gold medalist in the 400m and 4x400m and still holds the World Junior record in the 400m at 43.87, the only U20 athlete to ever break 44 seconds.

In our conversation, we dive into Lewis background growing up in Los Angeles as well as the support he received from his family and community. He also talks about his family who served in the military and the work he does now to support the Veteran community.

Lewis also talks about the competitive training environment both at UCLA and in the Santa Monica Track Club and how having sprint clubs and teams now would likely be a positive for the sport. He also provides insight into how he overcame multiple injuries and setbacks to not only be ready when it came time for the Olympics, but also transition into life after track.

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A Conversation with 2-time Olympic Medalist Terrence Trammell

Terrence Trammell is a 2-time Olympic medalist, 2-time World Champion, 3-time World Silver medalist and arguably the greatest sprint-hurdle combo athlete in history. 

In our conversation, we talk about his upbringing in Atlanta and how. After watching the 1996 Olympics in his hometown at just 18 years old, he made it a goal to be at the next Games. He not only made it to the Olympics, but won silver in 2000 and would go on to win medals at various championships through 2010. We also discuss the importance of storytelling through the use of social media and the work he does now as a coach, mentor and leader through Trammell Athletics.

Finally, as one of the greatest sprint/hurdler combo athletes in history, we discuss how he made his way onto the 4x100m relay that ran at the 2009 World Championships in Berlin

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