Michael Carvell
Staff Writer
Article dated Aug. 13, 1992

Augusta's Anita Howard watched the Barcelona Olympics as an alternate on the U.S. track team. Don't expect her to be a spectator in 1996 at the Atlanta games.

``I'm going to work,'' Howard said. ``After going through the Olympic experience, I'm very motivated for training. I'll be training hard for Atlanta.''

The former Butler High School standout arrived in Augusta on Wednesday afternoon. She will stay in town for the rest of the week, then return to the University of Florida to finish work on a psychology degree. Howard has already finished her track eligibility with the Gators.

``It's going to be a challenge for me to work out and train this next year,'' Howard said. ``My coach at Florida (Beverley Kerney) is now at Texas, and I might go out there eventually. But Dennis Mitchell (bronze medalist in the 100 meters) trains in Gainesville, Fla. He has invited me to come work out with him.''

Howard, 23, placed sixth in the 400 meters at the Olympic trials in June and earned an alternate spot on the 1,600-meter relay team. When Howard arrived at the pre-Olympic training site in Narbonne, France, track coach Barbara Jacket informed Howard that she would not compete unless there were injuries. Nobody got hurt, and Howard cheered from the stands as the relay team won a silver medal.

``I was hurt at first; I wanted to be a part of it,'' Howard said. ``But I wasn't mad. There will be another time for me.'' Howard has plenty of memories from her first visit to the Olympics.

``The Olympic village was great,'' Howard. ``Everything was free, and the cafeteria was open 24 hours a day. I got my picture taken with the Dream Team. The way you are treated is great .Á.Á. it can't be put into words. I never thought it would be like that.

``I was ready to come home, though. I am tired. I was ready to see my family. I haven't been able to talk to them since before the Olympics. I missed them greatly.''

On the way back from Barcelona, she made a pit stop at the White House. The U.S. Olympic team, including two other Augustans, boxer Vernon Forrest and table tennis player Jim Butler, was congratulated Tuesday by President Bush.

``Arnold Schwarzenegger was there,'' Howard said. ``He is not as big as I thought. He's short.''