Otis Harris facts for kids
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||
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| Born | June 30, 1982 (age 42) Edwards, Mississippi, U.S. |
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| Sport | |||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Running | ||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 400 meters | ||||||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||
| Personal best(s) | 400 m: 44.16 | ||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Otis Harris Jr. (born June 30, 1982) is an American track and field athlete. He is famous for his amazing running skills. Otis won a silver medal in the 400 meters race at the 2004 Summer Olympics. He also helped his team win a gold medal in a special relay race at the same Olympics.
Contents
Early Life and High School Success
Otis Harris was born in Edwards, Mississippi. He went to Hinds Agricultural High School in Utica, Mississippi. Even in high school, Otis was a fantastic runner.
High School Achievements
He earned many awards during his high school years. He was even named a first-team All-American athlete. This means he was one of the best young athletes in the country. Otis won the 400 meters race twice at the Junior Olympics. He also helped his high school team win three state championships.
College Career at South Carolina
In 2000, Otis Harris went to the University of South Carolina. He joined their track and field team, known as the Gamecocks.
NCAA Championship
In 2002, Otis was part of the Gamecocks' 4 × 400 meter relay team. This team won the NCAA championship. The NCAA championships are big competitions for college athletes. In 2003, he finished second in the 400 meters race.
Olympic Glory in 2004
The year 2004 was a very important one for Otis Harris. He competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece.
Silver Medal in 400 Meters
In the 400 meters race, Otis showed his speed. He came in second place in his qualifying races. Then, in the final race, he won the silver medal! Another American runner, Jeremy Wariner, won the gold medal. Derrick Brew came in third, making it a clean sweep for the USA.
Gold Medal in Relay Race
Otis Harris, Jeremy Wariner, and Derrick Brew teamed up with Darold Williamson. Together, they formed the United States' 4 × 400 meter relay team. They ran incredibly fast and won the gold medal for their country!
World Athletics Final
One month after the Olympics, Otis competed again. He finished third at the 2004 IAAF World Athletics Final. This showed he was still one of the top runners in the world.
Training and Later Career
Otis Harris continues to train hard. His college coach, Curtis Frye, helps him in Columbia, South Carolina. While he hasn't competed in major international championships recently, his Olympic medals are a big part of his legacy.
See also
In Spanish: Otis Harris para niños
