Winning With Integrity

Today at the Armory, pro track & field stars Lauryn Williams, Queen Harrison and Kristi Castlin took some time out of their pre-competition preparation schedules to meet with 72 NYC high school students enrolled in the Armory’s College Prep program. The event — part of USATF’s Win With Integrity series — is aimed at “educating youth, parents, educators, and coaches about the positive results that come from leading a physically active, drug-free lifestyle while living with integrity."

The event was moderated by four-time Olympic medalist and NBC commentator Ato Boldon. Students were inspired by statements such as that of Williams, an Olympic gold medalist, who said, “Integrity is about making choices on a daily basis. In our sport, the issue of performance-enhancing drugs is a problem. It’s important, quite frankly, to do things that are not illegal, and to be the best that you can be naturally.”

Harrison — a standout hurdler — stated, “It’s not about what everyone sees on the outside, but who you are when no one is looking. There’s a point where, win or lose, you have to accept who you are and your own potential.“