Golden moment for NSU alum in Paralympics

By Amber Kuehn

April Holmes owns something few Americans ever will. So, when people ask to hold it, she lets them. But she never lets it out of her sight.

Holmes worked too hard for it, endured too much. She has been dealt losses in her life, so she plans to hold tightly to this shiny prize.

The gold medal Holmes captured at the Paralympics in Beijing earlier this month is symbolic not only of athletic achievement but also of a refusal to quit when it would have been easy to do so

The Norfolk State alum and former All-American runner won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 2004 Paralympics at Athens and owns the 100-, 200- and 400-meter world records in her class, but she didn't strike gold until Sept. 14.

She won for the first time on the world's grandest stage, crossing the finish line in 13.72 seconds, well off her 100-meter record of 12.98 seconds but just enough for a victory.

In those few seconds, Holmes, 35, saw all the hours of training she'd put in result in one of the greatest accomplishments of her life.

"I worked hard for this moment and sometimes didn't even believe it was possible," she said. "Hard work and dedication paid off. Not many people will get to experience something like that."

Her route to victory wasn't easy. Holmes ran the 100 final not feeling 100 percent, the result of a bad fall in her 200 semifinal five days earlier.

An opponent stepped on her face during that mishap, with one of the spikes poking Holmes in the eye.

She ended up winning the gold with an injured hip flexor and a painful eye.

"I was close to losing my eye," Holmes said. "Someone asked me if I was upset (that) I wouldn't win the gold and I said, 'Right now, I'm more concerned about the fact that I can see.'"

It takes a lot to keep Holmes off the track, so even these injuries didn't stop her. She's been through worse. Much worse.

In 2001 Holmes was run over by a train in Philadelphia as she tried to board. Holmes doesn't remember details of the accident, just waking up with half her leg missing. Articles about the incident estimate that a train car rested on her left leg for about 20 minutes. Doctors were forced to amputate below the knee.

The able-bodied athlete who graduated from NSU in 1996 with All-American honors in multiple events was left with one good leg - and a renewed desire to compete.

Holmes hadn't run since her last day at Norfolk State but, when the doctor who gave her the prosthetic limb suggested the Paralympics, the competitive juices flowed again.

"I knew what I could do on two legs; I just had to learn to do it with one," she said.

"It's so gratifying to see her continue what she loves to do," said Laverne Sweat, who coached Norfolk State's track team from 1988 to 2005 and remains close with Holmes today. "She's really a competitor and has always been one, regardless of the circumstances."

Sweat e-mailed congratulations to Holmes upon learning about the gold medal. Sweat is glad Holmes has channeled her competitive spirit into humanitarian work through the April Holmes Foundation. The organization encourages those with disabilities to continue to pursue their goals.

"I show them they have opportunities," Holmes said. "They may not compete for the U.S. on a level like that, but whatever their Olympics is - if it's getting out of bed and getting dressed or taking one step out of the wheelchair - I tell them they can do it."

It's easy to tell people they can do something but a different matter entirely to make them believe it. That's how Holmes felt when it came time to race the 100.

"I had to will my body to do what my mind wanted to do," she said. "I didn't think I'd do well and it was a painful reality."

Her prayer was a simple one, she said: God, just help me finish this race.

"It was the closest race I'd run in a while, so even after I crossed the finish line, I didn't think I had won," she said.

Although it's not customary for anyone other than the winner to take a victory lap, Holmes rallied everyone together and they did it as a group.

"We all deserve a victory lap; we've been through a lot," Holmes said.

Holmes had an entourage of 20 in Beijing to support her.

"There was no question I was going," said Marva Bennett, family friend and president of the foundation. "I've watched her race many times, but her grace and speed is just amazing every time."

Holmes, who lives in Somerdale, N.J., has a number of appearances scheduled. The woman who appeared in Shaggy's "Strength of a Woman" video in 2003 is now more popular than ever. It might have something to do with that gold medal around her neck - the one everyone wants to touch.

"I've won it," she said. "Now I just have to figure out a way to secure it."

Amber Kuehn, (757) 446-2366, amber.kuehn@pilotonline.com