Ron Freeman

thumb|Ron Freeman Ronald John Freeman (born June , 1947 in Elizabeth, New Jersey) is an American former athlete. At the 1968 Summer Olympics, Freeman won a gold medal in the 4 × 400 m relay and a bronze medal in the 400 meters. Freeman ran the second leg on the American 4 × 400 m relay team, which won the gold medal with a new world record of 2.56.16. His relay leg time (43.2s) was the fastest 4 × 400 m relay leg ever run and his time stood for more than 25 years. Quotes In high school I wanted to be the best in the United States, to win a college scholarship and become an Olympian. There weren't many track meets, but at sixteen years old with five months training I ran a 46.6 in the 440 yard dash on a cinder track - unlike the tracks these days. We knew the time that we were going to run to break the world record. We even made up a song that we always sang on the track: ‘2.55 and that ain't no jive. Larry James had designed and implemented one of the greatest youth track and field camps in the country, that had youth coming from all over the east coast for a five day overnight camp. During the camp the participants learned not only how to run and jump but they learned life skills. By allowing me to bring my Olympic friends to give them messages in leadership, education and overcoming the odds while at the same time sharpening their running skills, it was a hit. The same basic model was used to work with youth on military bases in England, Germany, Turkey and Italy. We did ‘coaches training’ programs and youth track and field camps in several countries. The United Nations brought me to Guinea to design and implement a major youth peace initiative and what I came up with was the Mano River Union Games, a program that would have impacted four countries: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Cote d’Ivoire. The Games were just about set to go but there was a change in government, so we didn't have the chance to implement the program. It was at that time that I decided to stay (in Guinea) and work with youth. Sports have really opened up for African countries and world class athletes are being developed all the time. Track and field has given many people the chance to grow and to be the best that they can be through the number of events that are being hosted in many countries around the world. It had been my dream to work with youth and the various partners in Guinea, to bring about a program that IMA designed, that has touched more than one hundred thousand girls and boys, nationwide. In many cases, girls have not had the opportunity to go to school and our focus is to try to give them that opportunity. IMA has also provided many scholarships for girls to go to primary, secondary and technical schools, and universities through our partnerships. I am really proud of being able to put smiles on girls’ faces, and to give the youth in Guinea the chance to play. It has been simply amazing. Don't be surprised if you see a world class track athlete in the finals of the Olympic Games from Guinea one year. I haven't traveled this road alone, there were many people and organisations that have supported me, guided me and gave me direction. For many years the U.S Olympians Association has given me gifts for youth and my Olympic track buddies have taken part in many of my programmes. And here in Africa the IOC funded my initial programmes. I can't say enough about the U.S Department of State and the U.S Embassy and their staff in Guinea, which has been a partner for many years. It has really taken a village to help me make my dreams come through. Being an athlete during my time was a great time, We didn't look at it as a business. We were amateurs and we ran to set records and win races. It was a period of time, when we competed against athletes and developed relationships that stood for a lifetime. Those days you would talk stuff, leading up to a race and back it up - a lot of head games were played. Yes, those times brought your real athletic abilities out of you, with very few support mechanisms like the athletes have today. It is amazing to see the quality of athletes that are competing on a level that is so unbelievable. I think that it is because of the number of outstanding events that have been developed around the world and the quality of coaching. The sport will continue to go on in all countries around the world, whether the country is rich or poor, which is proven during every international competition. If you believe, you can conceive and dreams do come true. Freeman turns Olympic glory into a lifelong passion for youth development, May 08 2020 External links Category:1947 births Category:Track and field athletes Category:Sportspeople from the United States Category:African Americans Category:People from New Jersey Category:Olympic gold medalists