Shocking Developments in Flagstaff. Weldon Johnson Signs With Nike/Bruce Hyde Turns Pro

(Flagstaff, AZ - June 29, 2002) -- After being incognito all of 2002, America's greatest distance hope Weldon Johnson publicly trained for the first time this year. Weldon appeared yesterday for a promotional run for his new sponsor, Nike, which earlier in the day announced they had signed Weldon to a lucrative long-term contract.

Weldon went on a six mile training run wearing a Nike full-body suit - unusual attire for a distance runner (see picture to the left). After ending his run by sprinting into a waiting limousine to avoid a throng of teenage girls, Weldon explained why he wore such racy attire.

"Let's not kid ourselves. I may be America's greatest distance hope but the last few years have shown that runners don't sell shoes. Nike signed me for one reason and one reason only - my sex appeal. With Robert out, I'm by far the best looking guy on the circuit," said Weldon.

Weldon said that the uniform wasn't just a promotional gimmick. "I'm going to do all my training runs in it. Like Anna Kournikova, I'm first and foremost a sports model. With John Kellogg as my coach, the running pretty much takes care of itself."

Weldon was accompanied on his run by teenage miling sensation Bruce Hyde. Hyde, formerly of Cornell University, announced yesterday at the press conference that he will be following in Alan Webb's footsteps and turning pro, also under the coaching guidance of John Kellogg. Hyde has signed a lucrative deal with Fila, which insiders say is going to use Hyde's boyish good looks to appeal to the 12-15 year old demographic.

"I had no choice but to go pro right now. I want to prove to Alan (Webb) that I'm the best 19-year old miler in the country and I fear that if I wait three years to finish college, Alan will be all-washed up and broken - probably even retired," said Hyde. "I really feel the rhythm and am ready to drum. I fear no one."

Hyde, who sports a 4:09 mile best, said he expects to beat 3:53 miler Webb next year. "Given the fact that I improved by 10 seconds this year and he slowed by 6 seconds and only ran 3:59, I certainly hope I'm faster than he him next year."

Coaching legend John Kellogg admitted he was very excited about yesterday's developments. "I couldn't be happier. I always said that the only reason to run was to impress the ladies so you can't beat the deal Weldon got which makes him a glorified model. As for Bruce, I've always stressed the need to hammer kids young and really burn them out."

Rumors had been circulating in track circles that Weldon hadn't been seen in 2002 due to a plantar fascia injury (or a bone bruise on the heel or a nerve problem - all depending on which doctor you talked to). At the USATF nationals last week, the gossip was that Weldon had received a new diagnosis, and a shot that would totally cure him within 3-5 days.

Weldon denied all of the above. "I haven't done anything this year as I was just holding out until I got the best sponsorship deal possible. I decided I'd rather see the shoe industry and track and field suffer rather than cave in and accept a substandard deal. The fact that today is five days after nationals is a pure coincidence."









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