A lifetime of dedication to education, human performance, sport, and the Olympic movement is the basis for Dr. LeRoy T. Walker's creation of the International Human Performance Center at East Carolina University. Dr. Walker's academic background and his experiences coaching elite athletes convinced him that cutting edge scientific knowledge and the application of technology is essential for athletes to perform at their highest level, without resorting to the dangers of performance enhancing drugs. The Center was a dream that took shape over 50 years of involvement in sport- a dream that he was able to turn to reality upon his retirement as President of the United States Olympic Committee in 1997.

Dr. Walker's vision is to bring together the best technology, the best scientists, the best coaches, and the best athletes from around the world to disseminate the latest developments in human performance. A number of developed nations already provide these advantages to their national athletes. To be successful, the state-of-the-art technology must be coupled with outstanding scientists.

Athletes Dr. Walker Coached/Influenced

• Sam Jones, former North Carolina College and Boston Celtics Basketball Hall of Fame and one of the top 50 players in the National Basketball Association Players; US Olympic Hall of Fame
• Lee Calhoun, the 7-time national champion and 5-time world record-holder who was first athlete to win the Olympic 110 hurdles twice, at Melbourne 1956 and Rome 1960
• Wilma Rudolph, first US women to win three Olympic gold medals, in 100, 200, and 4 x 100 relay, at Rome 1960
• Willie Davenport, set world record and won Olympic gold medal in 110 hurdles at Mexico City 1968
• Frank Shorter, marathoner, who won Olympic silver and gold medals at Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976
• Bruce Jenner, decathlete, who set world record in winning the Olympic gold medal at Montreal 1976
• Edwin Moses, won Olympic gold medals in 400 hurdles at Montreal 1976 and Lost Angeles 1984, and held world record for 15 years
• Abebe Bikila, Ethiopian marathoner, set two world records in winning Olympic gold medals at Rome 1960 and Tokyo 1964
• Kenya's Kip Keino and Ben Jipcho, who won Olympic gold and silver medals, respectively in 3,000 steeplechase and Kenya's 4 X 400 relay team which won Olympic gold medal all at Munich 1972