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If you look at any superior athlete, you will find a strong parental influence. Parents introduce their children to a sport, and then they support them.

Support the athlete, encourage the team, help the coach. That's what good track parents do.

Both parents supported my becoming a world class athlete.

My kids are good athletes and runners. They run in a bunch of sports.

I used to win at school, and some teacher said to me, 'Why don't you take up running like your sisters?'

I never ran with my dad. He was old-school. He had a whole different idea of training. He ran in steel-toed boots! But, of course, he's proud of me and proud of the boxer that I became.

Champions are not the ones who always win races - champions are the ones who get out there and try. And try harder the next time. And even harder the next time. 'Champion' is a state of mind. They are devoted. They compete to best themselves as much if not more than they compete to best others. Champions are not just athletes.

As a little kid, not only is my dad Jo-Jo White, but M. L. Carr is involved in the family, Red Auerbach is my godfather, and my stepmother was an Olympic-caliber sprinter. Athletes were all around. I happened to be a natural athlete. If I wasn't, it might have been hell. But I never got any pressure from my mom and dad to be an athlete.

When I was a little boy, I always wanted to run. I loved competing with my friends.

I admire runners older than I - they are now my heroes. I want to be like them as I grow older.