One of my major competitors was Harold Smith. Smith beat me in 1977. I was loafing during that competition.

My father was also a principal of a school and mother was a curriculum advisor. Both were educators.

The joint lubrication was not what it was when I was competing, and I decided that not having arthritis or rheumatism for the rest of my life was a lot more important to me than returning to the track.

I never struggled with injury problems because of my preparation - in particular my stretching.

I went to Moorehouse College. There was no track and field there.

I wanted to go to medical school. But, I never got a college scholarship.

Both parents supported my becoming a world class athlete.