Calvin Smith has always wanted to be just like his father.
His father, with whom he shares a name, won an Olympic gold medal as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team in Los Angeles in 1984 and a bronze in the 100-meter dash at the 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea.
The elder Smith is also the former world record holder in the 100-meter dash and a member of the National Track and Field Hall of Fame.
His son spent last weekend in Eugene, Ore., chasing the same dream that he has already lived out.
When Smith, a 20-year-old sophomore, crossed the finish line in the finals of the 400-meter dash at the Olympic trials, he knew he hadn't won, but it didn't matter. He had already made it.
"I knew that as long as I was in the top six I was going to Beijing," he said.
By finishing fifth, Smith was eligible to be selected as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team.
Smith will be a member of the team that will compete in the Olympic Games, and when he steps foot on the track in Beijing, he will become the second member of his family to compete in the Olympics for the United States.
"Some guys train their whole lives and never get this opportunity," Smith said. "I made it the first time that I tried. It's a great honor."
It will be the second trip to Beijing for Smith, who competed in the IAAF World Junior Championships there in 2006.
While Smith admitted that he has thought about what it would be like to win a medal at the Games, simply having the opportunity to join his father as an athlete who has competed on the world's biggest stage is enough for him.
"Just getting to run means everything to me," Smith said.
The sprinter said that while he is focused on his preparation right now, he expects to be a little nervous when the time comes for him to run against the world's greatest athletes.
He will not be alone, however. UF coach Mike Holloway will accompany Smith to Beijing.
Holloway said that he is proud of what Smith has been able to accomplish and is excited that he will be able to take part in the Olympic experience.
"Right now we are just trying to enjoy it a little bit," Holloway said. "He had a long year, and we are going to try and give him a few days off here."
His respite will not last long though. With the opening ceremonies less than a month away, Holloway has planned for Smith to compete in several European meets before the start of the Games.
"We just want to get Calvin some extra work in and make sure he stays in shape," Holloway said. "It's important to keep him competing on a high level."
The coach said that he is confident Smith will perform well despite any nerves that he may have.
"I'm not worried at all," Holloway said. "Calvin has always been at his best in the big competitions. I know he'll be at his best in Beijing."
