Willie Smith
Biographical information
| Roles | Competed in Olympic Games • Non-starter |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Full name | Willie James•Smith, III |
| Used name | Willie•Smith |
| Born | 28 February 1956 in Rochester, Pennsylvania (USA) |
| Died | 7 November 2020 in Sylacauga, Alabama (USA) |
| Measurements | 173 cm / 73 kg |
| Affiliations | Kappa Sports Club |
| NOC |  United States |
| Medals | OG |
| Gold | 1 |
| Silver | 0 |
| Bronze | 0 |
| Total | 1 |
Biography
Willie Smith was a 400 metre runner who won a gold medal in the 4x400 relay at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. He won gold medals in the 4x4 at the 1979 and 1981 World Cup. Individually, in the 400, he won a silver medal at the 1977 Universiade, and a bronze medal at the 1979 Pan American Games.
Smith ran in college for Auburn University, after being named Track & Field News male high school athlete of the year in 1974. He was runner-up in the 400 at the 1978 NCAA Meet and won the 440 yd twice at the NCAA Indoor, in 1977-78. Smith won the TAC Meet in the 400 in 1979-80. He later became a television news director. He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Auburn Tiger Trail.
Personal Best: 400 – 44.73 (1978).
Results
| Games | Discipline (Sport) / Event | NOC / Team | Pos | Medal | As | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 Summer Olympics | Athletics | USA |
Willie Smith | |||
| 4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) | United States | |||||
| 1984 Summer Olympics | Athletics | USA |
Willie Smith | |||
| 4 × 400 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) | United States | 1 | Gold |
Special Notes
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the Summer Pan American Games (0–0–1 1979 San Juan ATH bronze: 400 m)
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the Summer Universiade (1–1–0 1977 Sofia ATH gold: 4×400 m relay, silver: 400 m)
- Listed in Olympians Who Won a Medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships (0–1–0 1991 Sevilla silver: 4×400 m relay)