HSI (track team)

HSI an initialism for Hudson Smith International, is an elite track and field training group and team centered on former UCLA coach John Walton Smith and sports agent/attorney Emanuel Hudson.[1] The group was formed in 1996[2] after the former 1972 Olympian had led Quincy Watts and Kevin Young to 1992 Olympic gold medals.

Among the members of the group are Olympic medalists Maurice Greene, Ato Boldon, Allen Johnson, Tasha Danvers, Inger Miller, Jon Drummond and Dawn Harper.[3] From its inception, the team dominated global sprinting events for a decade. Members of the team have combined to run world class relay marks under the HSI banner.[4][5] Team members were known for their braggadocio or trash talking, but their accomplishments backed up their words.[6]

As world record holder in the prestigious 100 metres, Greene was the most publicized of the athletes. Greene virtually ran the table of World Athletics Championships and Olympics in that event from 1997 to 2001, his closest competitor at that level frequently being Boldon. Johnson had a similar winning streak in the 110 metres hurdles between 1995 and 2003. The two combined for what might have been the greatest post race celebration stunt in 2004 at the Adidas Track Classic when Greene, coming back from injuries won his 100 metres race then took off his shoes as if they were on fire. With a national TV audience watching, Larry Wade then ran onto the track and put them out with a real fire extinguisher.[7][8]

American members

International members

The members of the training group were not limited to American athletes. Athletes from several countries trained together in Los Angeles.

References
  1. http://www.hsi.net/emanuel-hudson.php
  2. Amy Shipley (2000-06-11). "Sprinting Under A Corporate Flag". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 1330888409.
  3. "Track & Field - Sports - HSI". Archived from the original on 2012-04-29. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  4. "Off and running".
  5. http://arkansas.scout.com/2/368405.html
  6. "Carmelita Jeter and Jason Richardson both win gold at worlds - Tim Layden - SI.com". Archived from the original on 2012-05-15. Retrieved 2012-07-12.
  7. "Maurice Greene on Fire". 9 July 2008.
  8. "MileSplit Discussion Board".
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