THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 24, 1996 TAG: 9607240580
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SERIES: Olympics '96
From Atlanta
SOURCE: Tom Robinson
LENGTH: 55 lines
Because even television sets in Knoxville, Tenn., pick up the Olympics, Lawrence Johnson can't necessarily run from the Games. But he's doing his best to hide until his number is called at the pole vault pit a week from today.
Johnson, the 22-year-old U.S. record holder from Chesapeake, was in Atlanta just long enough to march in the Opening Ceremonies Friday night - stylin' in sunglasses, naturally - and sign a three-year deal with adidas Saturday morning.
After that, Johnson was back in his car bound for his University of Tennessee training base. He has not watched the Olympics, Johnson said Tuesday in a telephone interview. He has allowed only snippets of what's happening in Atlanta into his cocoon.
``If I stayed around for all the hype and excitement, I know I could get pretty excited,'' Johnson said. ``I don't want that to carry on for too long. I really can't wait to get down there. But I knew I could really use a full week to focus on what I need to focus on.''
When Johnson drives back to Atlanta on Monday, he'll use a phony name to check into an undisclosed hotel rather than enter the buzz of the Olympic Village. He'll do pre-competition interviews if the time and situation suit him.
If he can help it, nothing will disrupt what Johnson, always a prodigious worker, calls his most intense preparation ever for a meet.
``I'm real tired and sore, but that's good,'' he said. ``I realize I need to push it to the limit for as long as I can.''
On various days, Johnson's four-hour workouts include vaulting, weightlifting, sprinting, visualization sessions and gymnastics, where he works on the rings and high bar to simulate segments of his vault. In Atlanta, however, Johnson said he plans only running workouts on the Olympic warmup track.
``I won't do any vaulting once I get down there,'' he said. ``My first vault will be in qualifying.''
After winning the Olympic Trials in June, Johnson signed with agent Brad Hunt, competed a few times and taped an Entertainment Tonight with his singing group, Soja, that ran Saturday.
The music thing seems to have Johnson as excited as anything. He said Hunt is laying the groundwork for another sponsorship deal, depending upon Johnson's Olympic effort, that could involve a music company. And some European promoters, Johnson said, have even discussed bringing Soja over to perform after Johnson competes.
That's fun for another day, though, as is his first full Olympic experience.
``With every decision there's going to be a cost,'' Johnson said. ``I don't think this is my last Olympics. I think after I establish myself a little more, I might be able to take some time at the next one to enjoy some of the things that go on.'' by CNB