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This month, we shine the spotlight on 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympian Edward Neufville, III.
Our September Olympian first encountered running in Liberia at his elementary school olympics, also known as field day. The school activity, often seen as a time to have fun with friends, set the foundation for the blooming athlete who would go on to run competitively at the international level.
Pure talent
After emigrating to the United States in 1991, Neufville acclimated quickly to the student-athlete life. He was about 16 years old and immediately joined the track team at Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina. Although Neufville had never ran the hurdles before attending Sumter, he fell in love with the event and dominated each year at every meet.
In his senior year of high school, Neufville shared that he won the 110-meter hurdles state title, set the state record in the 400-meter hurdles which simultaneously was the second fastest time in the US, and contributed to the 4×100 relay team’s third place.
He and his teammates were recognized, by resolution, for winning the 1995 Class AAAA State Championship by the South Carolina House of Representatives. Neufville’s success led him to further his track career at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC).
A leap of faith
As a first-year college student, Neufville set his sights on the upcoming 1996 Olympics and did not allow anything to stand in his way. After his first semester, the college athlete took a flight back to Liberia for Christmas; December 1995. He had two objectives. First, he would visit his parents. Next, he would find out how he could represent Liberia at the ‘96 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
Although he entered the US legally, traveling to Liberia was risky. Neufville had to navigate the civil crisis and many other unknown factors that could prevent him from returning to the US. Also, the likelihood of finding the right contact person for the Liberia Olympic Team was slim.
Not knowing the possibilities, Neufville took a leap of faith to make running for Liberia a reality. That leap proved to be his best yet. Representing Liberia in its second ever men’s 4×100 relay team, the Opening Ceremony is forever ingrained as a favorite memory in Neufville’s mind
“We had to play the role of runners and also we had to advocate for our place there,” Neufville said as he recalled his favorite Olympic moments.
Post-Olympic goals
After an exhilarating summer experience, returning to college life as an Olympian boosted Neufville’s confidence. Being surrounded by the world’s best was an eye opener that validated Neufville’s skills. He went on to represent Liberia again at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, Greece.
Neufville was stronger, faster, and running his best times in the hurdles. He planned to run at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain, but competing for Liberia with a US student visa became difficult. He missed the ‘99 World Championships in Spain.
Ultimately, Neufville had to make a decision; continue competing with visa uncertainties or move on and attend law school. Moving on from track was not easy, but seemed necessary. Neufville went as far as requesting two weeks off from the dean of his law school to remain in the track world, but an answer never came.
Full circle moment
Neufville’s transition into a traditional career path was not separated from his track life.
“I went directly from running track and field directly into law school,” Neufville said. “With law school and just the structure, I was able to replicate that life. ”
Replicating that familiar structure, Neufville would train every day at 3pm while he attended classes.
Years later, Neufville still battled the immigration status “unknown.” After graduating law school and hanging his own shingle, he applied what he learned from school and his journey to advocate for his own green card. He grew from an Olympian to an immigration attorney.
One of Neufville’s practice areas is representing runners and student-athletes who are applying for visas or facing the same issues he once faced.
In service
As the vice president of the Liberia Olympians Association, Neufville desires to help write a new chapter for Liberian athletes without focusing on the struggles.
“All those things are real and I don’t want to downplay what happened to me or to someone else but I also don’t want it to be the guiding light for every Olympics,” Neufville said. “We are guided by what happened in the past, but we’re not going to let what happened in the past to form what happens next.”
Whether it is being present for the current athletes, assisting with transitioning or showing that track and field is only one aspect of life, Neufville believes it is important to pivot.
“This will allow an athlete to move into professional life using the skills gained to propel them to the next level without having to be confined to the athletic identity.”
Listen and read Eddie’s Q&A below.
Hello, my name is Edward Neufville and I competed at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia for Liberia.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia. Yekepa was a mining town in Liberia close to the border of Guinea and Ivory Coast.
I lived in Yekepa, Liberia until the year 1984 and I later moved from Yekepa to the city of Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia where I lived until 1990 and had to relocate temporarily to Monrovia, Liberia as a result of the Liberian civil war.
When did you start running?
I started running in general when I was in elementary school in Gbarnga, Liberia at the Cuttington campus school. My running consisted mainly of participation in the field day or as we called it the school olympics, but I really didn’t start running competitively until I came to the United States in 1991 and I became a part of my high school track team in Sumter, SC.
How did you join the Olympic Team?
During the Christmas break of my first year in college I returned to Liberia to visit my parents and at the same time to explore the possibility of participating or representing Liberia at the 1996 Olympics.
While in Liberia I connected with the Liberian track and field officials who then put me in touch with the other Liberian runners in the United States which at that time was Kouty Mawenh, Sayon Cooper, and Robert Dennis, as well as Grace Dinkins.
Why did you choose to represent Liberia?
Well first of all, I chose to represent Liberia because I’m a Liberian. At that time, Liberia was the only country I could have represented but most importantly I felt a need and an urge to provide a different perspective of Liberia to the world and this was a counter to what was seen on the news and counter to the news about the civil war in Liberia.
What’s your #1 advice to an athlete who wants to become an Olympian?
My number one advice is to dream big, be persistent but most importantly be consistent. Consistency is the key. There are many athletes. Athletes who have immense talents, great abilities, but their lack of consistency is an impediment to their success. So big dreams, persistence, and consistency.
What’s an interesting fact about you that not many people know?
In 1998, I had the opportunity to meet and be a part of a garden party that was held by the Queen of England, our majesty Queen Elizabeth, at the Buckingham Palace in London, England.
Secondly, I’m a lover of languages and so I’ve taken it upon myself to learn or to become fluent in French and Spanish which I started during the pandemic. Once I have achieved the level of fluency that I desire, move onto other languages.
Readers can stay in touch with Neufville by following his professional page on Instagram and Facebook at @neufvillelaw. Supporters can also keep up with him on the Liberia Olympians social media pages— @liberiaolympians.
The Olympian Spotlight Series is a monthly project that features the journeys and lives of Liberia’s Olympians. Not only does the project highlight their lives as athletes, it expresses their views as Liberians and showcases life after professional sports. Its goal is to honor these athletes and encourage readers who may want to support or become an Olympian themselves.
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This month, we shine the spotlight on 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympian Edward Neufville, III.
Our September Olympian first encountered running in Liberia at his elementary school olympics, also known as field day. The school activity, often seen as a time to have fun with friends, set the foundation for the blooming athlete who would go on to run competitively at the international level.
Pure talent
After emigrating to the United States in 1991, Neufville acclimated quickly to the student-athlete life. He was about 16 years old and immediately joined the track team at Sumter High School in Sumter, South Carolina. Although Neufville had never ran the hurdles before attending Sumter, he fell in love with the event and dominated each year at every meet.
In his senior year of high school, Neufville shared that he won the 110-meter hurdles state title, set the state record in the 400-meter hurdles which simultaneously was the second fastest time in the US, and contributed to the 4×100 relay team’s third place.
He and his teammates were recognized, by resolution, for winning the 1995 Class AAAA State Championship by the South Carolina House of Representatives. Neufville’s success led him to further his track career at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (UNC).
A leap of faith
As a first-year college student, Neufville set his sights on the upcoming 1996 Olympics and did not allow anything to stand in his way. After his first semester, the college athlete took a flight back to Liberia for Christmas; December 1995. He had two objectives. First, he would visit his parents. Next, he would find out how he could represent Liberia at the ‘96 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia.
Although he entered the US legally, traveling to Liberia was risky. Neufville had to navigate the civil crisis and many other unknown factors that could prevent him from returning to the US. Also, the likelihood of finding the right contact person for the Liberia Olympic Team was slim.
Not knowing the possibilities, Neufville took a leap of faith to make running for Liberia a reality. That leap proved to be his best yet. Representing Liberia in its second ever men’s 4×100 relay team, the Opening Ceremony is forever ingrained as a favorite memory in Neufville’s mind
“We had to play the role of runners and also we had to advocate for our place there,” Neufville said as he recalled his favorite Olympic moments.
Post-Olympic goals
After an exhilarating summer experience, returning to college life as an Olympian boosted Neufville’s confidence. Being surrounded by the world’s best was an eye opener that validated Neufville’s skills. He went on to represent Liberia again at the 1997 World Championships in Athens, Greece.
Neufville was stronger, faster, and running his best times in the hurdles. He planned to run at the 1999 World Championships in Seville, Spain, but competing for Liberia with a US student visa became difficult. He missed the ‘99 World Championships in Spain.
Ultimately, Neufville had to make a decision; continue competing with visa uncertainties or move on and attend law school. Moving on from track was not easy, but seemed necessary. Neufville went as far as requesting two weeks off from the dean of his law school to remain in the track world, but an answer never came.
Full circle moment
Neufville’s transition into a traditional career path was not separated from his track life.
“I went directly from running track and field directly into law school,” Neufville said. “With law school and just the structure, I was able to replicate that life. ”
Replicating that familiar structure, Neufville would train every day at 3pm while he attended classes.
Years later, Neufville still battled the immigration status “unknown.” After graduating law school and hanging his own shingle, he applied what he learned from school and his journey to advocate for his own green card. He grew from an Olympian to an immigration attorney.
One of Neufville’s practice areas is representing runners and student-athletes who are applying for visas or facing the same issues he once faced.
In service
As the vice president of the Liberia Olympians Association, Neufville desires to help write a new chapter for Liberian athletes without focusing on the struggles.
“All those things are real and I don’t want to downplay what happened to me or to someone else but I also don’t want it to be the guiding light for every Olympics,” Neufville said. “We are guided by what happened in the past, but we’re not going to let what happened in the past to form what happens next.”
Whether it is being present for the current athletes, assisting with transitioning or showing that track and field is only one aspect of life, Neufville believes it is important to pivot.
“This will allow an athlete to move into professional life using the skills gained to propel them to the next level without having to be confined to the athletic identity.”
Listen and read Eddie’s Q&A below.
Hello, My name is Edward Neufville and I competed at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia for Liberia.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Yekepa, Nimba County, Liberia. Yekepa was a mining town in Liberia close to the border of Guinea and Ivory Coast.
I lived in Yekepa, Liberia until the year 1984 and I later moved from Yekepa to the city of Gbarnga, Bong County, Liberia where I lived until 1990 and had to relocate temporarily to Monrovia, Liberia as a result of the Liberian civil war.
When did you start running?
I started running in general when I was in elementary school in Gbarnga, Liberia at the Cuttington campus school. My running consisted mainly of participation in the field day or as we called it the school olympics, but I really didn’t start running competitively until I came to the United States in 1991 and I became a part of my high school track team in Sumter, SC.
How did you join the Olympic Team?
During the Christmas break of my first year in college I returned to Liberia to visit my parents and at the same time to explore the possibility of participating or representing Liberia at the 1996 Olympics.
While in Liberia I connected with the Liberian track and field officials who then put me in touch with the other Liberian runners in the United States which at that time was Kouty Mawenh, Sayon Cooper, and Robert Dennis, as well as Grace Dinkins.
Why did you choose to represent Liberia?
Well first of all, I chose to represent Liberia because I’m a Liberian. At that time, Liberia was the only country I could have represented but most importantly I felt a need and an urge to provide a different perspective of Liberia to the world and this was a counter to what was seen on the news and counter to the news about the civil war in Liberia.
What’s your #1 advice to an athlete who wants to become an Olympian?
My number one advice is to dream big, be persistent but most importantly be consistent. Consistency is the key. There are many athletes. Athletes who have immense talents, great abilities, but their lack of consistency is an impediment to their success. So big dreams, persistence, and consistency.
What’s an interesting fact about you that not many people know?
In 1998, I had the opportunity to meet and be a part of a garden party that was held by the Queen of England, our majesty Queen Elizabeth, at the Buckingham Palace in London, England.
Secondly, I’m a lover of languages and so I’ve taken it upon myself to learn or to become fluent in French and Spanish which I started during the pandemic. Once I have achieved the level of fluency that I desire, move onto other languages.
Readers can stay in touch with Neufville by following his professional page on Instagram and Facebook at @neufvillelaw. Supporters can also keep up with him on the Liberia Olympians social media pages— @liberiaolympians.
The Olympian Spotlight Series is a monthly project that features the journeys and lives of Liberia’s Olympians. Not only does the project highlight their lives as athletes, it expresses their views as Liberians and showcases life after professional sports. Its goal is to honor these athletes and encourage readers who may want to support or become an Olympian themselves.