Olympics 2012: Jeff Porter To Honor Father's Olympic Dream

When University of Michigan alumnus Jeff Porter represents Team USA at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, he will not only be representing his country but also his father. Porter will participate in the 110-meter hurdles in London thanks to a bronze medal at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon, but it was his past that drove him to the finish.

In 2008, Porter failed to qualify for the Beijing Games, which was not only disappointing for himself but also for his father, John. Jeff's participation in the Olympics was a dream that the duo shared, making it all the more important to Jeff to qualify for the 2012 Games, especially considering his father passed away shortly after his failed qualifying attempt in 2008. Via the New York Post:

"My father has been a driving force of mine since 2008,'' said Porter, who needed every inch of his personal-best 13.08 to edge two-time NCAA champ Antwon Hicks (13.14) and American record-holder David Oliver (13.17). "It was his dream, it was my race, and this was our victory.''

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