Letter to the Editor

Iowa State Daily Editorial Board: Tim Davis, Jamey Hansen, Tim Frerking, Chris Mende and Keesia Wirt.

Danny Harris is one of the best, if not the best, track and field athlete ever from Iowa State University. He’s considered one of the best hurdlers of his time.

Harris won the silver medal in the 400-meter hurdles at the 1984 Olympics when he was 18. He won three NCAA championships while at Iowa State. He broke former Olympic champion Edwin Moses’ streak of finals victories in the 400 hurdles at 107 in 1987. He’s been a long-time favorite at the Drake Relays. He could have contended for a gold medal at this year’s Olympics.

All in all, Danny Harris is an incredible hurdler. But there is one hurdle in particular that seems to keep tripping up Danny Harris: Cocaine.

Harris pulled out of the Olympic trials last week after receiving news from USA Track and Field that he had tested positive for cocaine.

He also missed the 1992 trials after being banned from competition for cocaine use. He was reinstated in late 1994.

Much talk about Harris’ problem has surrounded how Harris is wasting his special talents by using cocaine. He could be an Olympic champion, a legend in his arena of sport.

But let’s not forget that Danny Harris is a man — a man battling what he himself has called a “monster.”

And while letting all that talent go to waste is a tragedy, the primary focus should be on the fact that drug and alcohol abuse can affect a myriad of people. People who need help.

Danny Harris’ case would be no less tragic if he were not a special athlete. It just wouldn’t be as noticeable.

Perhaps eight-time Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis summed up this tragedy best:”He’s a good man. That’s what we need to save. The career is secondary.”

“The career is secondary.” Harris isn’t special because he’s fast. He’s special because he’s a human being.