Emmit King

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Emmit King (born March 24, 1959 in Bessemer) is a retired sprinter who traveled with the relay team to the 1984 and 1988 Olympics, but didn't compete. He is best known for winning the bronze medal at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in the men's 100 metres. He set his personal best (10.04 seconds) in the 100 metres on June 17, 1988 at a meet in Tampa, Florida.

King graduated from Hueytown High School in 1978 and signed a track scholarship to run for Jefferson State Community College. After two years, he transferred to the University of Alabama. While there he became the 1983 NCAA 100 meters National Champion (10.15 seconds) and out-sprinted Carl Lewis twice. In 1986, he became a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity through the Theta Delta chapter at the University.

On November 20, 1986 King married his Alabama teammate and fellow Olympian Lillie Leatherwood. He was inducted into the Alabama Community College Conference Athletics Hall of Fame in 1989.

References

  • Emmit King at the International Association of Athletics Federations