Crawford to appear at Van Wyck festival

By Andrew Dys - Andrew Dys

VAN WYCK -- Olympic silver medalist and Van Wyck native Shawn Crawford is expected to make an appearance Saturday at the tiny community's annual Celebrate Van Wyck festival, said his mother, Sylvia Crawford.

On Monday, Crawford is expected to be on national television on "The Oprah Winfrey Show."

Last month, Crawford won a silver medal in the 200-meter sprint at the Beijing Olympics. He won the gold in the same event and a silver from a relay in Athens in 2004.

Photo 1: Crawford to appear at Van Wyck festival

The final race this year was controversial, after Crawford appeared to finish fourth. But he eventually received the silver after the second- and third-place finishers were disqualified for running outside individual lanes.

Crawford said after the race he didn't want to get the medal that way, a response of selflessness his mother said is, "typical Shawn, who wants to earn what he gets." Sylvia Crawford and a family friend attended the games in China.

"Shawn ran great and people over there loved him, just like people here love him," Sylvia Crawford said. "I am so proud of his racing, and the way he handled himself."

Crawford, 30, now lives and trains in Los Angeles. He graduated from Indian Land High School and later Clemson University.

Crawford's Olympic chase energized the tiny community of about 300 people located just east of the Catawba River in Lancaster County. The festival, now in its 10th year, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the community center just off S.C. 75.

The building will be decorated with Shawn Crawford memorabilia, press clippings and more tributes to Van Wyck's favorite son. The time of Crawford's appearance depends on what time he can make it back from L.A., his mother said, but the hamlet is already buzzing with anticipation.

"Shawn showed wonderful sportsmanship in the Olympics, and we have never been more proud of him," said Betty Broome, a lifelong resident who has helped coordinate community events to honor Crawford.

A more formal celebration honoring Crawford's achievements is in the works for next month.

Crawford already taped an appearance for the popular BET TV show "106 & Park," and a taped "Oprah" episode with other U.S. Olympians is slated to air at 4 p.m. Monday, Sylvia Crawford said. The show is seen locally on WSOC-TV.