Emmit King

Biographical information

RolesNon-starter
SexMale
Full nameEmmit•King
Used nameEmmit•King
Born24 March 1959 in Birmingham, Alabama (USA)
Died28 November 2021 in Bessemer, Alabama (USA)
Measurements173 cm / 79 kg
AffiliationsNew Balance TC
NOC United States

Biography

Emmit King twice made the US Olympic team as a sprinter but he was a relay alternate and never competed. He ran in college for Jefferson State Community College and the University of Alabama, winning the 1983 NCAA 100 metre title for the Crimson Tide.

King won a bronze medal in the 100 at the 1979 Pan American Games, but his greatest meet came at the inaugural World Athletics Championships in 1983 when he won bronze in the 100 and took home gold with the USA 4x100 relay team. He won US titles in the 1988 100 metres and indoors won the 60 yard title in 1984 and the 55 metres in 1988.

King married American 400 metre runner Lillie Leatherwood. He was tragically killed in a shooting in Bessemer, Alabama after an argument.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.04 (1988); 200 – 20.86 (1982).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1984 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Emmit King
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States DNS
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Emmit King
4 × 100 metres Relay, Men (Olympic) United States DNS

Olympic family relations

Special Notes