Olympics

Most decorated Pittsburgh Olympian talks to Channel 11 News

PITTSBURGH — Roger Kingdom is considered the most decorated Olympian in Pittsburgh.

He won two gold medals in the 110m hurdles. The first was at the 1984 games in Los Angeles.

"The reason why it so special is because it was the first," he told Channel 11's Rich Walsh. "It was the one when nobody believed in me, when I was the underdog."

People started to believe in 1988 when he won again.

"To actually come back, it solidified the fact that Roger Kingdom is one of the greatest hurdlers and he is legit," Kingdom said.

The former University of Pittsburgh star proved he was legit and had been doing so since he was 9 years old when he told his mother he was going to the Olympics.

"It shows any individual, whatever your aspirations are, as long as you're willing to put in the effort you can achieve these goals," Kingdom said.

Kingdom retired from running in 1999 but he is still in the business.

For the last eight years he has been directing the track and cross country programs at California University. He is also involved with U.S. Track and Field.

When asked about if he missed the Olympics, Kingdom said he misses the comradeship.

"Seeing all the athletes from different countries, trading pins, trading uniforms, sitting around, laughing, joking," described Kingdom. "There is no animosity. No arguing. No nothing. Everybody just wants to compete."

Kingdom was the first man to run below the 13 second barrier in the 110m hurdles, running 12.98 seconds. The record stood until 1996.