"I wanna be the fastest athlete, totally blind, of all time. Not just the fastest totally blind athlete, Im striving to be the fastest athlete of all time … Im not going to stop until Im as fast as Usain Bolt or faster." At 23-years-old, David Brown is considered the fastest blind man in the world. He excels beyond countless Paralympic athletes in the T11 division, of visually impaired athletes, setting world records for 100 and 200 meters, according to the International Olympics Committee Athletics World Record. His outstanding record is 10:92 seconds in the 100 meter relay. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Brown moved to St. Louis with his family to attend Missouri School for the Blind. At 6-years-old, he discovered his speed at recess racing friends. Years later he began track at 13, but didnt take it seriously. "Honestly … I didnt really like track," Brown admits. "Track was pretty much on the back burner for me." However, when Brown soon participated and witnessed the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, his thoughts shifted in favor of track. During a competition amongst 25 athletes, his motivation conquered his fears as he galvanized goals to participate in the London 2012 Paralympics. [caption id="attachment_3926" align="alignleft" width="200"]
David Brown trains as part of Team USA for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio
[/caption] Through brisk training and dedication to track, he exceeded his goals and landed a spot on the United States relay team for the 2012 Paralympics. Before the games, he ventured to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista where he currently resides and trains. In London he strived to win a medal, but missed the mark. However his failure didnt stump him, it only inspired Brown to work smarter. Brown has trained vigorously for a slot in the 2016 Rio Paralympics to represent the United States. Through hard work and dedication, he landed a spot on the United States team. This year he trained six days a week with his guide runners James Avery and Mason Rhodes, who individually run alongside him during the relays, and gold and silver medalist Coach Joaquim Cruz. Brown's striving to win gold for the 100, 200, 400 and 4x100 meter relays. Although hes worked hard to make the US team, his mind isnt set just for the team, but at the finish line decorated in gold medals. "When youre at the trials, thats not your end result." Brown said, "Your end result is at Rio, so youre not trying to hit peak performance at trials. You want to be a little tapered back but not much." "He has the A standards, but he still needs to compete... Right now he dominates his events, but you never know whos gonna show up there." Coach Cruz explains prior to Brown making the team. During relays Brown is united with either Avery or Rhodes by an intricate device. Unlike a Chinese finger trap, they are loosely bound to an extended tether wrapped on each index finger that moves as their arms swiftly pump. His guide runners vocalize where Brown is on the track whether it be an upcoming curve, specific distance or close to the finish line. Compared to a 3 legged race, its important for Brown to be in synch with his guide runners from the beginning stance to the finish line. They have to correlate to Browns strides and movements, but also be faster to help him achieve an improved record. Avery has guided Brown since 2014 in the 100 and 200 meter relays mostly. As an experienced guide runner since 2004, he details Brown as exceptional and hungry to be the best compared to other athletes hes worked with. "Ive had experience with a lot of different athletes. David is exceptional though. Hes one of these way out of the pack that Ive worked with for the simple fact that his start is so explosive that I still adjust on my own," Avery said. Rhodes joined the team last March as an assistant coach for track and field from Georgia Southern University. Experienced in 400 meter relays, Rhodes was a perfect match for Brown. But because Rhodes is much taller than Brown, the pair originally ran wide apart to accommodate their strides. "I would say the first time (running with him) I almost got my arm ripped off because of the height difference," Rhodes jokes. Now adjusted to the height difference, they run closer. Browns strides extended and pace increased through Rhodes help. Although Brown cannot see the track he treads, his dreams are envisaged perfectly. There are curves which he cant visualize, but with his sharp senses and guidance of his team, he paves through them and succeeds each personal goal at the finish line. He pumps his arms faster, drives his feet towards the end to achieve; to prove to everyone this is only the beginning of the race, this is only the beginning to the journey of gold. "One thing that separates Dave from the rest, he has the potential, but hes such a humble kid … sometimes when I look at his face and when he cant see me, I can feel his spirit lifting up. He travels with you, he believes what hes saying," Coach Cruz testifies. Coach Cruz indicates, "We understand its David Browns dreams, but his dreams become our dreams and we pursue them together as a team."
David Brown trains as part of Team USA for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio [/caption] Through brisk training and dedication to track, he exceeded his goals and landed a spot on the United States relay team for the 2012 Paralympics. Before the games, he ventured to the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista where he currently resides and trains. In London he strived to win a medal, but missed the mark. However his failure didnt stump him, it only inspired Brown to work smarter. Brown has trained vigorously for a slot in the 2016 Rio Paralympics to represent the United States. Through hard work and dedication, he landed a spot on the United States team. This year he trained six days a week with his guide runners James Avery and Mason Rhodes, who individually run alongside him during the relays, and gold and silver medalist Coach Joaquim Cruz. Brown's striving to win gold for the 100, 200, 400 and 4x100 meter relays. Although hes worked hard to make the US team, his mind isnt set just for the team, but at the finish line decorated in gold medals. "When youre at the trials, thats not your end result." Brown said, "Your end result is at Rio, so youre not trying to hit peak performance at trials. You want to be a little tapered back but not much." "He has the A standards, but he still needs to compete... Right now he dominates his events, but you never know whos gonna show up there." Coach Cruz explains prior to Brown making the team. During relays Brown is united with either Avery or Rhodes by an intricate device. Unlike a Chinese finger trap, they are loosely bound to an extended tether wrapped on each index finger that moves as their arms swiftly pump. His guide runners vocalize where Brown is on the track whether it be an upcoming curve, specific distance or close to the finish line. Compared to a 3 legged race, its important for Brown to be in synch with his guide runners from the beginning stance to the finish line. They have to correlate to Browns strides and movements, but also be faster to help him achieve an improved record. Avery has guided Brown since 2014 in the 100 and 200 meter relays mostly. As an experienced guide runner since 2004, he details Brown as exceptional and hungry to be the best compared to other athletes hes worked with. "Ive had experience with a lot of different athletes. David is exceptional though. Hes one of these way out of the pack that Ive worked with for the simple fact that his start is so explosive that I still adjust on my own," Avery said. Rhodes joined the team last March as an assistant coach for track and field from Georgia Southern University. Experienced in 400 meter relays, Rhodes was a perfect match for Brown. But because Rhodes is much taller than Brown, the pair originally ran wide apart to accommodate their strides. "I would say the first time (running with him) I almost got my arm ripped off because of the height difference," Rhodes jokes. Now adjusted to the height difference, they run closer. Browns strides extended and pace increased through Rhodes help. Although Brown cannot see the track he treads, his dreams are envisaged perfectly. There are curves which he cant visualize, but with his sharp senses and guidance of his team, he paves through them and succeeds each personal goal at the finish line. He pumps his arms faster, drives his feet towards the end to achieve; to prove to everyone this is only the beginning of the race, this is only the beginning to the journey of gold. "One thing that separates Dave from the rest, he has the potential, but hes such a humble kid … sometimes when I look at his face and when he cant see me, I can feel his spirit lifting up. He travels with you, he believes what hes saying," Coach Cruz testifies. Coach Cruz indicates, "We understand its David Browns dreams, but his dreams become our dreams and we pursue them together as a team."
