Ga. Olympic Track Star Working To Keep Families, Kids Fit

The club is hosting a free health and fitness event for families at the Anderson Park Recreation Center in Atlanta on Saturday.

Clark is the daughter of teacher Joe Louis Clark, the inspiration for the movie “Lean On Me,” and is part of the first family of track and field. She, her sister-in-law, Jearl Miles-Clark, and her older sister, Joetta Clark Diggs, made history in 2000 when they swept the 800 meter Olympic trials.

Clark said on “A Closer Look” those historic Olympic trials are one of the highlights of her life.

“People bring it up all the time. It makes me feel good,” Clark said.

“At the time I was just in the moment and my family, we were all just trying to make the Olympic team and I don’t think we realized what it meant to a lot of people in this country and the world,” she added.

Clark says her days as an Olympian and the athletic training involved helped her learn discipline, dedication and the value of hard work.

Now she wants to inspire others, especially children, and help them learn the same life lessons she’s learned as a dedicated athlete.

The Family Fit, Fun, Run Day on Saturday is one way she’s doing that. Clark said when families work together to stay healthy and fit, they tend to be more successful.

The event is one of many initiatives the Georgia Track Club sponsors, but the organization’s main objective is to support elite athletes.

Clark says the Club provides financial resources that allow the athletes to focus on training, competition and community involvement.

Participants in fitness event will get a chance to meet the stars of the Georgia Track Club and even receive free gifts from sponsors like Nike.

WABE’s Rose Scott and Denis O’Hayer contributed to this report.