Michael Franks (athlete)
Encyclopedia
Michael "Mike" Franks (born September 23, 1963) is a former American
track and field
athlete who competed in the 400-meter dash.
He was the silver medal
ist in the event at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in Athletics
. He was given the Harrison Dillard Award in 1984 for his achievements. While attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale
, he took the 400 m title at the 1985 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
. 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. He was the fastest athlete of 1985
over 400 m with his personal best time of 44.47 seconds.
He competed at the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships
and secured the bronze medal
behind Antonio McKay
and Roberto Hernández. Turning to the outdoor season, he won at the 1987 Summer Universiade, taking the 400 m students' title. 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
track and field
Track and field
Track and field is a sport comprising various competitive athletic contests based around the activities of running, jumping and throwing. The name of the sport derives from the venue for the competitions: a stadium which features an oval running track surrounding a grassy area...
athlete who competed in the 400-meter dash.
He was the silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
ist in the event at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in Athletics
1983 World Championships in Athletics
The inaugural World Championships in Athletics were run under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations and were held at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, Finland between August 7 and August 14, 1983....
. He was given the Harrison Dillard Award in 1984 for his achievements. While attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public research university located in Carbondale, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1869, SIUC is the flagship campus of the Southern Illinois University system...
, he took the 400 m title at the 1985 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship
NCAA team champions for Men's Indoor Track and Field-See also:*NCAA Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Indoor Track and Field Championship*NCAA Women's Outdoor Track and Field Championship*Pre-NCAA Indoor Track and Field Champions...
. That same year he took the gold medal
Gold medal
A gold medal is typically the medal awarded for highest achievement in a non-military field. Its name derives from the use of at least a fraction of gold in form of plating or alloying in its manufacture...
at the 1985 IAAF Grand Prix Final and two further golds at the 1985 IAAF World Cup
1985 IAAF World Cup
The 4th IAAF World Cup in Athletics was an international track and field sporting event sponsored by the International Association of Athletics Federations, held on October 4–6, 1985, at the Bruce Stadium in Canberra, Australia.-Men:|width="50"| ...
in the 400 m and 4×400-meter relay events. He was the fastest athlete of 1985
1985 in athletics (track and field)
-International Events:* African Championships* Asian Championships* Balkan Games* Bolivarian Games* Central American and Caribbean Championships* European Indoor Championships* South American Championships* Pan Arab Games* World Cross Country Championships...
over 400 m with his personal best time of 44.47 seconds.
He competed at the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships
1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 1st IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held in Indianapolis, United States from March 6 to March 8, 1987. The championship had previously been known as the World Indoor Games, which were held once before changing the name....
and secured the bronze medal
Bronze medal
A bronze medal is a medal awarded to the third place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, etc. The practice of awarding bronze third place medals began at the 1904 Olympic Games in St...
behind Antonio McKay
Antonio McKay
Antonio McKay Sr. is a former track and field athlete who specialized in the 400 meters.-Career:...
and Roberto Hernández. Turning to the outdoor season, he won at the 1987 Summer Universiade, taking the 400 m students' title. He was selected as an alternate for the 4×400 m relay at the 1987 World Championships in Athletics
1987 World Championships in Athletics
The 2nd World Championships in Athletics under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations were held in the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy between August 28 and September 6, 1987.-Track:1983 | 1987 | 1991 | 1993 | 1995...
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.