Former Alabama track star Kirani James set to compete in 2012 London Olympics

With the Summer Olympics well underway in London, many eyes in America have been glued to the television screen. The American representatives have performed quite well thus far, and the competition is only just beginning. The events will continue until August 12.

One competition that should spark a bit of interest from Crimson Tide fans involves one of the Tide’s most prolific track athletes in recent history. Former Alabama standout Kirani James will be competing for his home country of Grenada at the 2012 London Olympics. His quest for glory begins on Saturday at 4:35 a.m. CDT in the quarterfinals of the 400-meter event.

If James advances, he will compete in the semifinals on Sunday, August 5 at 2:40 p.m. CDT. The finals would be held on Monday, August 6 at 3:30 p.m. CDT.

Kirani stormed onto the scene at Alabama by winning a number of major events. He finished second at the NCAA Indoor Championships and at the SEC meet in the 400m during his freshman year. In 2010 he became the NCAA Outdoor Champion in the 400m as well as an All-American in both the NCAA Indoor and Outdoor competitions for the 400m.

He competed in the World Youth Championships in 2009 and was the champion of the 200m and the 400m events. When he competed in the CARIFTA Games in 2009, he broke a record held by one of the world’s most decorated track athletes, Usain Bolt. James ran the 400m with a time a 45.45. That time easily shattered Bolt’s previous mark of 46.35.

His time of 44.60 in the 400-meter event is the sixth-fastest time in the world. He recorded that phenomenal mark at the 2011 World Championships as he became the youngest champion in the event’s history.