LONDON– You may have seen the story during NBC-TV’s coverage of the Olympics on Thursday or seen it in various newspapers across the country. 

 You may have even seen the video on YouTube as the story has gained worldwide attention.

Manteo Mitchell, a member of the United States Olympic track and field team and running in a heat of the four by 400 meter relay event, appeared to struggle as he ran the opening leg of the event.

He posted a time of 46.1 seconds for his leg as he battled some pain as he ran– which now we know was because he broke his left fibula (he felt something snap during the race) and raced the final 200 meters on the broken leg.

The United States, primarily because Mitchell didn’t quit, qualified for the finals, although obviously Mitchell is out with his injury.

Mitchell is a graduate of Crest High School, a North Carolina High School Athletic Association member school in Cleveland County, and he ran track at Western Carolina University.

“I’m so proud of him,” said longtime friend and supporter Donnie Thurman Jr., in Cleveland County, as quoted in a story in The Shelby Star. “The fact he didn’t quit and wanted to finish for his team and country, that’s a great accomplishment. He still ran a good time and on a broken leg.

“He’s one of those people who really lives out his motto ‘Faith Focus Finish.’ I told them this is a great opportunity to have something good come out of a bad thing.”

Congratulations to former NCHSAA athlete Manteo Mitchell for exhibiting the true Olympic spirit!