Michael Franks (athlete)
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 medalist in the event at the inaugural 1983 World Championships in Athletics.[1] He was given the Harrison Dillard Award in 1984 for his achievements.[2] While attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, he took the 400 m title at the 1985 NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championship.[3] 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.[4] He was the fastest athlete of 1985 over 400 m with his personal best time of 44.47 seconds.[5]
He competed at the 1987 IAAF World Indoor Championships and secured the bronze medal behind Antonio McKay and Roberto Hernández.[6] Turning to the outdoor season, he won at the 1987 Summer Universiade, taking the 400 m students' title.[7] 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.[8][9]
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- 1977: West Germany (Krieg, Hofmeister, Schmid, Herrmann)
- 1979: United States (Frazier, Green, Smith, Darden)
- 1981: United States (McCoy, Wiley, Smith, Darden)
- 1985: United States (McCoy, Phillips, Armstead, Franks)
- 1989: Americas (Martínez, Menezes, Burnett, Hernández)
- 1992: Africa (Lahlou, Matete, Kemboi, Bada)
- 1994: Great Britain (McKenzie, Ladejo, Baulch, Black)
- 1998: Great Britain (Hylton, Baulch, Baldock, Thomas)
- 2002: Americas (Sánchez, Francique, McDonald, Blackwood)
- 2006: United States (Ashley, Brew, Merritt, Williamson)
- 2010: Americas (Brenes, Jackson, Nixon, Chambers)
- 2014: Africa (Tumuti, Makwala, Kombe, Van Niekerk)
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United States
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