Photo via Stacy M. Brown of the Baltimore Times and her article at http://baltimoretimes-online.com/news/2016/dec/02/running-gold-and-respect-baltimore/
Long-time Loyola employee William Johns, 56, is set to run at the World Masters Games in Auckland, New Zealand in April 2017. Johns is a part-time shuttle driver for the University while also working for Baltimore City’s General Services Department.
The World Masters games are a continuation of the Olympic games, where the idea is to continue to spread a message of “sport for all” by encouraging participation. The idea is that athletic competition, in addition to a mature understanding and friendship, can foster further participation regardless of age, race, gender, economic status, or religion.
What’s most unique about Johns’ story? He started competing for the Senior Olympics circuit after he was 51.
In a previous story reported by Stacy M. Brown of The Baltimore Times, Johns said, “I had read about the Senior Olympics as I was turning 51 and I decided to try it out…I realized that you had to qualify in the Senior Olympics in your state to go to the nationals, and I started winning medals and meeting different people.” Johns has won the silver in the 100 and 200-meter hurdles and Gold in the 400-meter hurdles at the national Senior Olympics in Cleveland in 2013.
Johns’ athletic accomplishments don’t end there. While in High School, Johns won the State Championship and took the number 1 ranking in the state. He rode that ranking all the way to the Junior Olympics, a prequel for the Olympics, where he won a Silver medal. Because of his accomplishments at a young age, including his Silver Medal, he was in contention for the U.S. Olympic Team for the California Games in 1984.
Recently, he has won Silver at the Delaware Senior Olympics, and Bronze at the National Senior Games in Minnesota. His success at Minnesota qualified him for the World Games in Auckland.
Johns, through his athletic accomplishments, is trying to change a worldwide negative perception about Baltimore. Johns is “…proud to be from Baltimore and I’m doing this so that young people can see positive things. There is all this killing, all of this negativity that’s associated with being from Baltimore and I’m thinking that, with these games, I can make an impact…” His main message is to show the world that the spirit of resilience, something that describes Baltimore, is still prevalent today. Johns was given the honor of carrying the Maryland flag at the World’s opening ceremonies.
The Original article on William Johns’ story can be found at: http://baltimoretimes-online.com/news/2016/dec/02/running-gold-and-respect-baltimore/
