Oct. 7, 2004

Columbia, SC – USC Olympians Otis Harris, Aleen Bailey and Tonique Williams-Darling were highlighted in a series of articles in the October edition of Track and Field News for their medal winning-performances at last summer’s Olympic Games.

Harris, who has since gone professional, was featured for his second place finish behind champion Jeremy Wariner in the USA sweep of the 400m. According to the article, “Harris ran a strong backstretch and opened up a bit of a lead on his teammates.” As Wariner evened Harris around the 300m mark and eventually took the lead, Harris finished strong, running a PR of 44.16 to claim the silver.

Harris also won a gold medal as part of the USA 4×400 relay team, which also consisted of Derrick Brew and Wariner, the same three who claimed the top medals in the individual 400m, and anchor Darold Williamson. Harris, who ran the first leg of the race, “blasted a 44.5 to give the U.S. an advantage it would never yield,” according to Track and Field News. The margin of victory was the largest in Olympic history.

USC graduate Aleen Bailey was featured as a member of the Jamaican 4×100 relay team that won the gold medal in the event. Bailey was highlighted for her “quick third leg giving Jamaica about a meter lead at the final handoff.’

Alum Tonique Williams-Darling was featured for her dramatic defeat of world champion Ana Guevara in the 400m. Williams-Darling ran a 49.41 to claim the first gold medal for a Bahamian and USC alum.