Track - 110m hurdles

USC

2000 Olympian, 1996 Olympic silver medalist, US National Champion

Part of being mentally and physically abused is you have dreams while sleeping. I used to have this reoccurring nightmare. One night I was awakened by that nightmare in a cold sweat. We had one of those Gideon Bibles. It was across the room. I remember it like it was yesterday. To the best of my knowledge I saw that Bible floating in the air about two or three inches off the table. At that moment I dropped to my knees and I started praying. I haven't stopped since.

I've always wanted a peaceful track season where I can run and only worry about the obstacles on the track. However, I was dealing with obstacles off the track. I had to really establish a sense of peace and realize that no matter what, I'm still going to have to deal with everything. So I laid aside every heavy burden and gave to God what I couldn't handle. Then I dealt with what I could.

Running the hurdles has made me realize that you might fall down, but you've got to get back up. You might hit them. They hurt when you hit them. However, you must focus. The goal is to endure to the end and to cross that finish line. That's what motivates me to rise to the challenges that life deals me.

The Olympics are more mental than physical. At this level, everybody, for the most part, is physically fit. Now it's time to fine tune. I must get mentally focused on what my objectives are, what my goals are, and spiritually fit to know that I'm not just representing myself. I have to put on my whole body armor, if you will, and get ready for war. It's going to be a war - not just with the athletes, but with what I stand for.