Alabama Not Just Football: 30 Amazing People Who Were Built By Bama
May 30, 2015; Eugene, OR, USA; Kirani James (GRN) wins the 400m in 43.95 during the 41st Prefontaine Classic at Hayward Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Kirani James
Kirani James is an Olympic gold-medalist from Grenada who was a member of the Crimson Tide track program from 2009-2011.
James came to Tuscaloosa following a successful junior career. His first international medal came in 2007, when at age 14 he won the 400m at the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Games. He went on to win a silver medal at the World Youth Championships with a time of 46.96s in the 400m, the fastest time ever recorded by a 14 year old.
In 2008 at the CARIFTA Games he defended his 400m title and won the 200m. The same year he won the 400m at the Commonwealth Youth Games. In 2009, he won his third consecutive 400m at the CARIFTA Games. Also in 2009, he won the 400m at the Pan American Junior Championships and the 200m and the 400m at the World Youth Championships.
While at Alabama, he was a two-time NCAA champion in the 400m (2010, 2011). He was the SEC Indoor and Outdoor runner of the year in 2011. He was named an NCAA All-American in both the indoor and outdoor seasons in 2010.
In 2011, Kirani James won the 400m at World Championships with what was then sixth-fastest time in the world. He was also the youngest runner to win the 400m at the senior level.
Kirani James represented his home country of Grenada in the 2012 London Olympics. He was chosen by his fellow athletes to carry the Grenadian flag into the opening ceremonies. He then won a gold medal in the 400m and set a new world record. The gold medal was the first Olympic medal for Grenada.