Michael Franks (athlete)

Michael "Mike" Franks (born September 23, 1963) is a former American track and field athlete who competed in the 400-meter dash.

Michael Franks
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing the  United States
World Championships
Silver medal – second place1983 Helsinki400 m
World Indoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place1987 Indianapolis400 m
IAAF World Cup
Gold medal – first place1985 Canberra400 m
Gold medal – first place1985 Canberra4×400 m relay
Universiade
Gold medal – first place1987 Zagreb400 m

He was the silver medalist in the event at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in Athletics.[1] He was given the Harrison Dillard Award in 1984 for his achievements.[2] While attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he took the 400 m title at the 1985 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship.[3] That same year he took the gold medal at the 1985 IAAF Grand Prix Final and two further golds at the 1985 IAAF World Cup in the 400 m and 4×400-meter relay events.[4] He was the fastest athlete of 1985 over 400 m with his personal best time of 44.47 seconds.[5]

He competed at the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships and secured the bronze medal behind Antonio McKay and Roberto Hernández.[6] Turning to the outdoor season, he won at the 1987 Summer Universiade, taking the 400 m students' title.[7] He was selected as an alternate for the 4×400 m relay at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics and helped set a championship record of 2:59.06 in the semi-finals (which was later improved upon when the Americans took gold in the event final.[8][9]

References
  1. Franks Michael. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  2. Harrison Dillard Award Archived 2008-09-06 at the Wayback Machine. USATF. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  3. NCAA DIVISION I INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  4. IAAF GRAND PRIX FINAL. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  5. Listo Anno. Atletica. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  6. IAAF WORLD INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIPS. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  7. WORLD STUDENT GAMES (UNIVERSIADE - MEN). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  8. Results - 4 X 400 METRES - Men - Final Archived 2009-06-25 at the Wayback Machine. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
  9. Results - 4 X 400 METRES - Men - Semi-Final Archived 2009-10-18 at the Wayback Machine. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-02-05.
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