Urban Thought Collective

I live in Los Angeles now, but originally I’m from a very, very small town in South Carolina called Van Wyck. I credit that small town living to bringing out the drive and passion in me that it takes to compete on an Olympic level.

I started running competitively back in elementary school, racing the junior high school kids. A friend of mine joined the track team, so I tried it out. I’ll admit there were some girls on the team too, so that helped nudge me along!

Over time, the passion for the sport of track and field came with knowing that this was something I could do, and do very well.

Faith plays a huge role in everything I do. Every move I make is on faith. Some may see that as wrong or misguided, but for me, it’s all good. When I moved to California, I had no fear. I had faith that this move would place me exactly where I needed to be. I don’t have what people may call “a church home.” For me, the Lord is not about a physical dwelling. Wherever He is, I’m there. If I am driving down a street and a place calls my name, I just go.

So, it goes without saying that faith guides my career. After I hang up my track shoes, I don’t know what my next step is, but I’m not afraid. I never even saw myself as a Gold Medalist, but I got there! For me, it is about making good decisions day to day, moment to moment. Even if I can’t see it, I know that wherever I end up will be exactly as it should be.

I’ll be back soon to fill you in on the Olympic qualifying rounds and my journey to gold in Beijing.

ICON sprinter Shawn Crawford ascended to the top of the track and field when he won the Gold medal in the 200 meters in the 2004 Olympics. Presently number six in the world, Crawford looks forward to winning the Gold once again in the 2008 Olympics. He is currently training with legendary Track and Field coach Bob Kersee. His periodic dispatches from the field will appear exclusively on UTC.