Willie Banks shaken ‘to the core’ by group’s Olympic Torch award

Willie looked sharp at Chicago awards dinner.

Late last month, M55 jumper Willie Banks was honored at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Assembly awards dinner in Chicago, which drew a crowd of 300. He received the group’s Olympic Torch award for his positive impact on the Olympic Movement. “When they told me about the award, I was shaking to the core because you don’t expect these kinds of things — especially somebody like me because I wasn’t a huge star,” Banks said. “To be recognized for the amount of time I spent away from my family and the long times in hotels and airports, it’s a great feeling.” The site report added: “His athletic accomplishments include setting the world record in 1985 and holding it for a decade. He is also well-known for popularizing the triple jump by encouraging the crowd to clap as he prepared for his run-up, a tradition that Friday’s crowd acknowledged by beginning that rhythmic clap during the presentation of Banks’ award. The 58-year-old was quick to humor his audience by hopping up from his seat and taking three jumps in front of the stage.”

The story continued:

It’s Banks’ accomplishments off the field of play, though, that are most impressive. He served 11 years with the U.S. Olympians and Paralympians Association as both president and vice president.

He continues to serve on the USOPA board of directors and is also a member of the Olympians for Olympians Relief Fund. Banks is a member of the USA Track & Field board of directors and a founding member of the foundation board. He formerly served as vice president of The Athletics Congress, chairman of the Athletes Advisory Committee and was president of the USATF Alumni Association.

And his work is nowhere near finished.

“I want to make it bigger,” Banks said when asked about his future goals for the Olympic Movement. “I want people to consider the Olympic Movement to be the pinnacle of sport, to be the center of the universe of sports, to have the Olympic flame shine brighter.”

Congrats, Willie! But don’t be surprised. You deserve every bit of the award.

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October 4, 2014

3 Responses

  1. Marcus battle - October 4, 2014

    Good made the triple jump important
    A CLASS act
    The Best

  2. Doug Smith - October 4, 2014

    Willie is a superb individual, a true gentleman and great ambassador for our sport of track & field. He will be our guest speaker at the Southern California Striders’ Banquet, which will be held on Sat., Nov. 15th.

  3. Jeff Davison - October 5, 2014

    Congrads.
    Thank you for all that you have been doing.

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