Aug. 11, 2004

USC volunteer coach and USA Olympian Allen Johnson, on a vote by his peers, has been elected the captain of the USA Track and Field teams at the 2004 Athens Olympics. As part of his duties as captain, Johnson will lead the men’s and women’s track and field teams into the closing and opening ceremonies as part of the USA’s procession at the Athens Olympics.

Johnson was nominated by US Trials champion Adam Nelson, a shot putter. The spokesperson for his nomination was USA Olympian Justin Gatlin, a sprinter competing in the 100m and 200m, who in a very moving speech, called Johnson ‘my hero, a USA guy that competes in the sport with honesty’.

USC Head Coach Curtis Frye, an assistant with the USA women’s Olympic staff, reported that Johnson was ‘thrilled, he hadn’t planned on going to the opening and closing ceremonies, but when this happened – he is just so excited. He’s very honored.’

“It means so much for Allen to be voted the captain,” said Frye. “There are so many athletes here that are respected members of the track and field community – John Godina, Marion Jones, Gail Devers, Joetta Clark – and for Allen to receive this type of honor – it’s just incredible. It’s long overdue and he will accept this role with incredible pride. The way he carries himself, on and off the track, he is a real role model — you can be a leader without speaking. We are at USC are just thrilled for him.”

Johnson, competing in his third straight Olympics, will run the 110m hurdles. He won the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and was fourth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.