July 17, 2004

USC volunteer coach Allen Johnson, a four-time world champion in the 110m hurdles, was given the Sam Skinner Award by the Track and Field Writers of America – known as the “Good Guy Award” yesterday at the Track and Field News luncheon at the US Olympic Trials. The award is voted on by a national media committee.

“Cooperating with the media is something I just automatically do and it’s nice to be recognized as someone who is polite and will talk to people,” said Johnson, a four-time world champion and 1996 gold medal winner at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics in the 110m hurdles. “Anytime someone (media) asks you a question, you don’t have to be afraid to talk to people, answer them with a real answer and not really worry about it.”

Are you a role model? “I try to a little bit” said Johnson, who has trained at USC for the past eight years. “I try to use my experience with those coming up behind me and even some of the people my age. We all have a lot of things we can learn from each other and we should all spread the knowledge we have. That’s what I try to do.”

Johnson also appeared on ABC’s Nightline Thursday night to address the topic of drugs in the sport.

Johnson said the crux of his message on Nightline was “Athletes need more information” about banned substances and the consequences of using them.