Editor’s Note: As part of WAVY’s Olympic coverage, we wanted to put a spotlight on former 757-native Olympians. Sports Director Craig Loper spoke with three former Olympians that are now all at different points in their post-Olympic lives. The following is part one of three in the coming week.
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Lawrence Johnson won a silver medal in the pole vault in the 2000 games in Sydney. In the process, he became the first Black pole vaulter to medal in the Olympic games.
Despite his accomplishment, the Norfolk native and Great Bridge High School graduate felt more disappointment than cause for celebration.
“It took me a long time to accept that [winning silver] as even being an accomplishment,” Johnson said. “I was so laser-focused on walking away with the gold medal that it was difficult. It took me awhile to realize I had done something worth celebrating.”
As time has passed, he has come to appreciate his medal more.
“I’ve really come to a place where I look back fondly on it and recognize I did a good job with it,” he said.