| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| HTA ID | HTA-0401 |
| Title | Renaldo "Skeets" Nehemiah — Olympic Hurdler |
| Date | Late 1979 (pre-1980 Olympics; Nehemiah at University of Maryland) |
| Date Confidence | High (references 1980 Olympics as upcoming; Nehemiah's UMD career 1978–1980) |
| Program | PM Magazine |
| Station | WDVM Channel 9, Washington DC |
| Duration | ~7 minutes |
| Format | Sports profile — finished broadcast piece |
| Reporter | NOT HENRY — female blonde reporter (unidentified) |
A profile of Renaldo "Skeets" Nehemiah, the world-record-holding 110-meter high hurdler at the University of Maryland, as he prepares for the 1980 Moscow Olympics. The piece features training footage at UMD's indoor facility, competition clips showing his dominance, interviews in his dorm room and a recreation room (playing pool with roommate Bob Calhoun), and commentary from coach Frank Costello.
Nehemiah discusses his early losses after an undefeated high school career, his American Record at the Philadelphia Track Classic (7.13 seconds for 60-yard hurdles), his relationship with his coach, and his psychological preparation techniques. He speaks of keeping "two identities" — his track persona and his private self — and refers to himself in the third person when discussing his athletic achievements.
The piece is poignant in retrospect: Nehemiah's entire focus is the 1980 Olympics, which the United States would boycott. He never got to compete for the gold medal he was favored to win.
NOTE: This piece was NOT reported by Henry Tenenbaum. It was reported by a female colleague at WDVM/PM Magazine. It is in Henry's archive likely because it was part of the same PM Magazine production unit.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| People | Renaldo "Skeets" Nehemiah (hurdler), Frank Costello (coach, UMD), Bob Calhoun (roommate/mentor) |
| Organizations | University of Maryland, PM Magazine, WDVM, USA Track & Field |
| Locations | University of Maryland campus, indoor fieldhouse, dorm room |
| Subjects | Track and field, high hurdles, Olympic preparation, athletics |
| Themes | Athletic greatness, the pressure of expectations, dual identity, the road to the Olympics |
| Keywords | Renaldo Nehemiah, Skeets, high hurdles, University of Maryland, 1980 Olympics, Frank Costello, world record |
| Career Period | PM Magazine, WDVM Channel 9 (1979–1984) |
"If he doesn't win the gold medal, he's just Renaldo Nehemiah, who choked."
"When I'm in the blocks, I hear, and almost see no one. I just hear a sort of an echoing sound."
"I try to keep two identities — a track identity and my own. At 3:30, I get into track fever, and at 7:00, it ends."
"He's the closest one to make hurdling like natural running, which is the object." — Coach Costello
Source: PM MAGAZINE/SKEETS NEAMIAH.mp4 (Dropbox) — FINISHED BROADCAST PIECE
Nehemiah: Young, lean, muscular African American man. Short dark hair, mustache. Wears Maryland tank top with red shorts (training), blue USA tank top (competition), blue/white Adidas tracksuit, patterned button-down (interview).
Training: Large indoor gymnasium/fieldhouse with polished wooden floor. His technique is remarkably fluid — he treats hurdles as part of a continuous sprint, minimizing air time.
Competition: Indoor track meets. Nehemiah explodes from starting blocks and pulls away from the field with noticeable leads.
Coach Costello: White man, dark hair, prominent mustache. White long-sleeved "L79" shirt, blue track pants with red/white stripes. Holds starter pistol during training.
Dorm Room: Desk, bed, walls decorated with track memorabilia, posters, photographs.
Powerful Visual Moments: Silhouette shots of Nehemiah against bright sun. Close-ups of intense concentration in starting blocks. The fluid, effortless glide over hurdles.
Renaldo "Skeets" Nehemiah (born 1959) set the world record in the 110-meter hurdles (12.93 seconds) in 1981. He was the heavy favorite for the 1980 Olympics but was denied the opportunity by the US boycott. He later played wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers (1982–1984) before returning to track. He never won an Olympic medal.
The 1980 Olympic boycott is one of the great "what ifs" of American sports history. This piece captures Nehemiah at the peak of his preparation for an event that would never happen for him.
Reel Candidate Assessment: LOW for Henry Archive purposes (not a Henry piece). However, historically significant as documentation of a world-class athlete denied his Olympic moment. Could be noted as part of the PM Magazine production unit's output.
Note for Archive: This record should be flagged as "PM Magazine colleague piece" rather than a Henry Tenenbaum story. It documents the broader output of the WDVM PM Magazine team.
Source: video_SKEETS_analysis_20260705_071840.md
Analysis date: 2026-07-05
Integration date: 2026-07-07
Based on the video provided, here is a description of the PM Magazine/WTOP feature on Renaldo 'Skeets' Nehemiah, addressing your specific points:
1) Nehemiah's appearance and physique:
Nehemiah is a young, highly athletic African American man with a lean, muscular build typical of a sprinter. He has short dark hair and a mustache. Throughout the video, he is seen wearing various athletic outfits, including a white "Maryland" tank top with red shorts, a blue "USA" tank top, and a blue and white Adidas tracksuit. In the interview segments, he wears a casual, patterned button-down shirt.
2) The training footage:
The training footage primarily takes place in a large, high-ceilinged indoor gymnasium or fieldhouse with a polished wooden floor. His hurdling technique is remarkably fluid and explosive. As his coach notes, his style resembles "natural running," where he minimizes the time spent in the air and treats the hurdles as part of a continuous sprint. He is also seen doing extensive stretching and flexibility exercises on an indoor track.
3) The interview settings:
The interviews are conducted in two main settings. The primary location appears to be his dorm room or bedroom, which features a desk, a bed, and walls decorated with track memorabilia, posters, and photographs. The second setting is a casual recreation room where he is seen playing pool with his roommate and friend, Bob Calhoun.
4) His coach Frank Costello:
Coach Frank Costello is a white man with dark hair and a prominent mustache. In the training scenes, he is dressed casually in a white long-sleeved shirt with "L79" printed on it and blue track pants with white and red stripes down the sides. He is seen holding a starter pistol and actively discussing technique with Nehemiah.
5) The race footage:
The video includes several clips of indoor track competitions. Nehemiah is shown competing in his University of Maryland uniform. The footage clearly demonstrates his dominance in the sport; in the races shown, he explodes out of the starting blocks and quickly pulls away from the rest of the field, winning with a noticeable lead.
6) Nehemiah's demeanor and personality:
On camera, Nehemiah comes across as highly articulate, calm, and intensely focused. He displays a quiet confidence and a deep self-awareness regarding his abilities and the immense pressure he faces. He speaks candidly about his drive to be the best, his reaction to his first losses, and the psychological tactics he uses to prepare for a race, revealing a highly disciplined and determined personality.
7) Henry's presence:
There is no "Henry" visible or narrating in this specific clip. The segment is hosted and narrated by a blonde female reporter who is seen on camera introducing the story and conducting the interview in Nehemiah's room.
8) Visually powerful moments:
The video features several visually striking moments that highlight his athleticism. The footage of him effortlessly gliding over hurdles during training and competition emphasizes his speed and flawless technique. The close-up shots of his intense concentration while in the starting blocks convey the mental weight of the competition. Additionally, the artistic shots of Nehemiah silhouetted against a bright sun serve as a powerful visual metaphor for his rising star status and Olympic aspirations.