So what did you do on your summer vacation?
When classes start at KU on Monday, one Jayhawk track star can tell quite the story of what she did this summer. In fact, sprinter Diamond Dixon can turn it into show and tell by letting the other students see the gold medal she earned as part of the USA women's 4 X 400m relay team in the 2012 London Olympics.
Dixon returned to Lawrence and showed off her gold medal at a press conference on Thursday as she prepares to start classes next week. Dixon ran the third leg of the semifinal race which earned her a claim to a gold medal after her teammates won the final. She certainly earned it, running a 50.88 leg to put the U.S. in the lead for the anchor leg.
Dixon has two year of eligibility remaining at KU and intends to finish her career with the Jayhawks before trying to make a living on the track. That means she had to turn down the $25,000 prize money awarded to gold medal winners.
"Yes ... I had to turn down the money," Dixon said, laughing. "It's OK. I don't need it. Those ladies (professionals on the relay team) need it more than I do. It's their job. It's what they do. I'm still running for KU, still representing KU. I plan to stay here through my senior year. No point in me going professional right now. If they want me now, they'll want me then. I'm here to represent KU and take in everything I can while I'm here."
For the latest on the 2012 London Olympic Games, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics hub.