Air Force Academy – James Davis put some personality into the Rocky Mountain State Games, winning the 400 meters Sunday in his age group on the Air Force track.
As expected, the former University of Colorado star posted one of the best performances of the weekend.
Davis, 30, ranked No. 1 in the world in the 400 in 2000, won his specialty with a time of 47.23 seconds. His time was the best of the day in the 400 provided a world-class touch to the meet.
“I got a lot out of it today,” Davis said. “I never get to compete in Colorado. And plus, I gave the general public a chance to come out and see a race with the kind of times I’m running.”
Davis is going about his track career as if he could take on all comers and win.
“It’s tough staying in the game because there’s a lot of young talent coming up,” Davis said. “It’s tough staying in the game much less staying on top.”
He hopes to compete another three or four years and then stop and count his medals.
“I haven’t reflected on the medals,” Davis said. “I never turn down a chance for a medal. I’m here to win every race I can get into.”
His medal from Sunday’s competition will go into the count. Just before the Rocky Mountain State Games, he won a medal as a member of a 4×400 relay team at a meet in Russia.
A national competition someday involving all State Games winners would be appropriate in Davis’ opinion.
“Let’s see who’s the best in the U.S. and not just in one state,” Davis said. “Let’s see who the man is. It would be just another track meet, but it’s a beautiful sport. I love to compete and if I have a chance to win, I’ll be there. I don’t back off from anybody.”
As he looks toward qualifying for next year’s world championships and possibly races leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Davis believes more exposure of the top American competitors would raise the public’s interest in his sport.
“The American public relates to personalities,” Davis said. “There’s no drama in track and field right now. You don’t have the Greene Machine. Maurice Greene was arrogant on the track, but the nicest guy in the world off the track.”
Davis lives in Frederick and works for a communication company in Longmont.
“I’m working 40 hours a week at a job and still trying to be one of the best in the world,” Davis said. “The public can relate to that. I have all the personality in the world. I don’t think I’m the greatest, but I think I can be. Track and field should market individuals and let people get to know us.”
