Despite the fact that he is currently living as a citizen of the United Kingdom and will represent the British track & field team later this summer in the Olympic Games, Michael Bingham knew of only one way to celebrate. Shortly after the former McCallie star earned a spot on the British 4x400 Olympic relay team this week, he treated himself to an American meal at McDonald’s.

Not exactly the diet you would expect from a world-class sprinter, but it certainly helped ease Bingham’s homesick pain.

“Since I’ve been here I’ve not only missed my family and friends but the food and weather, too,” Bingham said from his Birmingham, England, apartment. “I try to find things that remind me of home, and McDonald’s is a great way to do that.

“I never thought I would miss the summer heat in the South, but I do. It hasn’t been much above 70 degrees since I’ve been here so there are a lot of things besides the family support that I miss.”

This Olympic opportunity came about through a father who deserted his family when Michael was only 9 years old. Because his father, Norris, is a native of the United Kingdom, Michael was able to gain dual citizenship and knew that he had a much better chance to qualify for the British Olympic team. Despite being just weeks removed from hernia surgery, Bingham ran the third-fastest 400 meters time (46.28) at the British Olympic trials and has since turned in an even more impressive 45.98 time, hoping to earn a spot in the individual 400 meters event.

Regardless of whether he runs in the open 400, the Burlington (N.C.) native, who had never traveled outside the United States previously, is guaranteed a trip to Beijing in two weeks. Besides his talent and work ethic, Bingham’s laid-back attitude and sense of humor also helped to win over his teammates. When he was introduced in Lane 7 at last weekend’s first trials, he looked directly into the television camera and began doing the robot.

“I just wanted to do something silly to break the ice,” Bingham said. “There was so much pressure involved in the trials, and I wasn’t sure what people thought of me, so I just wanted to make them smile or laugh and lighten up. Probably because I was seen as the American here to take somebody else’s place, but when I first got here I wasn’t really given a warm welcome.

“Now that I’ve been here a while and people have seen what I can do, they’re warming up to me. I don’t think the reality of what I’ve done has set in yet. It probably won’t until I actually get there.”

Bingham showed the potential to become an elite national runner while in his second season of competition at McCallie. That year, his junior season, Bingham won the Division II state championships in the 110- and 300-meter hurdles, as well as the 100-meter dash and decathlon.

The following year opposing coaches would often move their athletes into events in which he was not entered, conceding they couldn’t beat him. He became the star of the Spring Fling in Memphis by becoming the state’s first and still only sprinter to record the fastest times in all classifications in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter events. That same day he also won the state title in the triple jump and was second in the long jump and high jump. Earlier that week he had set a state record for points by winning six of the 10 events in breezing to his second straight decathlon crown.

The 22-year old has since become an indoor and outdoor All-American at Wake Forest, with one more year of eligibility remaining after he returns home from his Olympic experience.

“I’m just so proud of Michael and thankful that he was able to accomplish this goal,” McCallie coach Mike Wood said. “I know it has been tough being over there, on his own without the support staff you really need to do well. That alone says a lot about how strong a kid he is.”

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