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Biography
FULL MUNA RISING
At 5-foot-8 Muna Lee has always stood taller than the generally petite world-class sprinters. This was certainly the case in Eugene, Oregon where she claimed the distinction of Americas’ fastest woman.
Already a veteran of the Olympic Games, Lee won the 2008 Olympic Trials running a personal best time of 10.85s in the 100m. Lee contends the 100m is not even her best event, asserting to be stronger in the 200m, an event she finished second in at the 2004 Olympic Trials, earning her a trip to Athens.
Skilled in a bevy of sprint events, the Littlerock, Arkansas native will look to add Olympic Champion to her resume that already includes World Champion and NCAA Champion. Since winning a gold medal in the 4 x 100m relay at the 2005 World Outdoor Championships and a silver medal in the 100m of the 2005 USA Outdoor Championships, Lee has been hampered by injuries that have limited her competition. The injuries would prove to be the beginning of obstacles Lee would have to overcome before making her second Olympic team.
During her Olympic training, Lee decided to make a move from California to College Station, Texas, where she could train with her college coach, Patrick Henry, at Texas A&M University. The move brought her closer to her family in Arkansas, making her training more enjoyable. The reunion between Henry and Lee brought together a duo who brought a National Championship to the Louisiana State University women’s track and field team.
Just weeks before the Trials, Lee was hit by a 21-year old drunk driver who ran a red light. After getting out of her truck, thoughts began to swirl about possible injury keeping her from her Olympic dream. Relatively unscathed, Lee became more focused on her training and translated her gratitude for her health into intense dedication for her sport.
BORN FOR BEIJING
Proving that injury, a change in coaches and an accident could not derail her, Lee has booked a trip to Beijing to represent America, making a statement at the nationally televised Trials.
Renowned as one of the top American sprinters since her teenage years, Lee garnered the AAU’s Most Outstanding Athlete in 1999. As an 18-year old, she would compete in the 2000 Olympic Trials, holding her own with a blazing 11.36s in the 100m. Lee attended Central High School in Kansas City, Missouri, where she was a two-sport star in basketball and track and field, as well as a member of the National Honor Society.
Collegiate track and field powerhouse LSU acquired Lee’s talent and she would raise the prestige of the program to a whole new level. While studying fashion design and art, Lee would go on to win National Championships in the 60m indoors twice and the 200m outdoors.
When Lee isn’t running world-class times she enjoys playing the piano, reading and spending time with her family. A presence in the fashion world, Lee enjoys fashion design as well as modeling. Lee has also given back to the track and field world, coaching at Carson Senior High School in Carson, California as well as Texas A&M.
On top of her numerous other hobbies, Lee is an avid writer and has kept a journal since her youth. While she enjoys reading her old entries, it appears that her future entries will be the most memorable, especially if they are written in gold.
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