James Walker (hurdler) explained

James Walker
Birth Place:	Atlanta, Georgia
Show-Medals:	Yes

James Walker (born October 1957) is a former American hurdler. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he attended Auburn University from 1976-1980. Walker was one of "The Fabulous Four" along with teammates Harvey Glance, Willie Smith, and Tony Easley; together they set more school and conference records than any other foursome in the history of the Southeastern Conference.^[1] Walker qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team but did not compete due to the 1980 Summer Olympics boycott. He did however receive one of 461 Congressional Gold Medals created especially for the spurned athletes.^[2]

James Walker lives in Madison, Alabama.

Achievements

• Won the gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1979 in the 400 metre hurdles^[3]
• SEC's Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 1979
• Until 2005, held the SEC record for the 400 meter hurdles with a time of 48.48 secs in 1979^[4]
• In 1977, 1978, 1979 had the best time in the SEC for the 400 meter hurdles (49.58, 51.51, 48.48)
• NCAA Division I champion, 400 meter hurdles, 1978 and 1979^[5]
• In 1976, had the best time in the SEC for the 120 yard hurdles (13.7 secs).
• In 1977, 1978, 1979 had the best time for the 110 meter hurdles (13.90, 14.0, 13.70 secs).
• In 1978, was the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field champion in the 400 metre hurdles with a time of 49.03 seconds.^[6]

References

1. Web site: Famous Alabama sports figures, The Birmingham News . 2007-10-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20080302005936/http://www.al.com/south/sports2.html . 2008-03-02 . dead .
2. Book: Caroccioli. Tom. Caroccioli. Jerry. Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games. 2008. New Chapter Press. Highland Park, IL. 978-0942257403. 243–253.
3. https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0717FB3C5C11728DDDA00894DF405B898BF1D3 New York Times, July 9, 1979
4. http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/05/18/breaks.shtml Caribbean Net News: Trinidad’s Clement breaks 26-year-old 400m hurdles mark at SEC Championships
5. http://www.hickoksports.com/history/ncamotr2.shtml#400mh NCAA Div. I Outdoor Track champions, Hickoksports.com
6. http://www.usatf.org/statistics/champions/USAOutdoorTF/men/m400mH.asp USA Track & Field, List of 400 meter hurdles champions