Life after the Olympic spotlight: Lawrence Johnson

Editor’s Note: As part of WAVY’s Olympic coverage, we wanted to put a spotlight on former 757-native Olympians. Sports Director Craig Loper spoke with three former Olympians that are now all at different points in their post-Olympic lives. The following is part one of three in the coming week.

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Lawrence Johnson won a silver medal in the pole vault in the 2000 games in Sydney. In the process, he became the first Black pole vaulter to medal in the Olympic games.

Despite his accomplishment, the Norfolk native and Great Bridge High School graduate felt more disappointment than cause for celebration.

“It took me a long time to accept that [winning silver] as even being an accomplishment,” Johnson said. “I was so laser-focused on walking away with the gold medal that it was difficult. It took me awhile to realize I had done something worth celebrating.”

As time has passed, he has come to appreciate his medal more.

“I’ve really come to a place where I look back fondly on it and recognize I did a good job with it,” he said.

Johnson, better known as “Lojo”, won an indoor world championship in 2001. After officially retiring from track & field in 2004, Johnson worked briefly in event management, where he was focused on creating video game tournaments.

In 2008, he stumbled upon coaching pole vault at the collegiate level.

“I had a friend call me up and tell me I needed to go interview with South Carolina,” Johnson said. “I determined it was something I felt I could do well in.”

For the next four seasons, Johnson lived and worked in Columbia, coaching Gamecocks pole vaulters. In spite of staying busy, he admits it wasn’t the same thrill as competition.

“I can say I probably went through a bout of depression for awhile,” he said. “It’s just different. The demands are different, the competition is different. The goals and the successes aren’t as easily recognizable. It’s just not as clear cut and tangible as walking out and earning a medal.”

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