Olympian Talks to Youth about Gun Violence, Reaching Dreams

DECATUR, GA. – Kristi Castlin, a 2016 track-and-field Olympian, talked to youth at a local recreation center about gun violence and fulfilling their dreams.

“Hard work, work ethics, sacrifice--all of those things are consistent across all sports. You have to have all of those things to be successful in all sports,” Castlin told youth at Hamilton Recreation Center.

The former Decatur resident holds a state record time in the 100-meter hurdles.

“I was born fast,” Castlin said. “I knew I always had the potential to be an Olympian. I’m a winner and I’m confident that I can come away with the gold.”

Graduating in the top five percent of her high school class with a 4.0 GPA, Castlin received a full scholarship to Virginia Tech, where she graduated with honors and a degree in political science.

Castlin was a freshman at Virginia Tech when a lone gunman killed 32 people and wounded 17 at the college. Castlin also was a victim of gun violence when she was 13 years old. Her father, who worked as the night manager at a Cobb County hotel, was shot and killed for $300 during a robbery. The case went unsolved for 15 years until a man was convicted in March 2016 for the murder.

The Olympian is dedicating her Olympic bid in Rio to survivors of gun violence.

###

Follow news from DeKalb County at @ItsInDeKalb on Twitter and sign up for additional updates at www.onedekalb.com or send a text message with the word ONEDEKALB to 22828 (message and data rates may apply.