Shawn Crawford Earns Silver Medal in 200m Dash at Olympics

Former Clemson great Shawn Crawford fell short in defending his gold medal performance from 2004 in the 200m dash, but put together a season-best time to earn a silver after a pair of disqualifications Wednesday night in Beijing. He was initially listed fourth, but fellow Team USA member Wallace Spearmon was disqualified for a lane violation, as was initial runner-up Churandy Martina. The moves bumped Crawford into silver medal position.

The silver is Crawford’s third medal as a member of Team USA. He won gold in the 2004 Olympics in the 200m dash and a silver as part of the 4x100m relay team. He is the only athlete with Clemson ties to earn three medals in the Olympic Games. He previously was tied for the most with former tennis great Gigi Fernandez, who won a pair of gold medals in doubles play.

Crawford ran a season-best 19.96 in the final and held off Walter Dix, a fellow American, who ran 19.98. Crawford’s personal best in the event is 19.89, which he accomplished in his gold medal performance in 2004 in Athens, Greece.

The native of Van Wyck, SC was a three-time NCAA champion in the 200m dash while at Clemson from 1997-2000. He owns the most NCAA All-America honors (11) in Clemson men’s track & field history as well.

In other news Wednesday, former Clemson sprinter Cydonie Mothersill advanced to tomorrow’s 200m dash final on the women’s side. She claimed the fourth and final qualifying spot in the second semifinal after posting a season-best time of 22.61.