Willie Turner

sprinting · track and field · coach · American athlete

Super fast sprinter. Willie Turner was an American sprinter who specialized in the 100m dash, 200m dash, and 4x100m relay. He was so quick that he earned the title 'Fastest Man Alive' for a brief period in his career.

Pan American champion. Willie won a silver medal in the 100m dash at the 1967 Pan American Games, which was a huge international competition. He was expected to do great things at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics too.

Injury changed everything. Just before the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, Willie suffered a serious injury that kept him from competing. Even though this was a tough setback, he continued to make a big impact in other ways.

Inspiring coach and mentor. Willie spent many years coaching sprinting at A.C. Davis High School in his hometown of Yakima, Washington, where he was greatly loved by the community. He also worked as a security guard at Wilson Middle School, where he helped young students.

Record-holding legend. Willie still holds sprinting records at A.C. Davis High School and Oregon State University, where he is remembered as one of the school's greatest sprinters ever.