Although his later career was plagued by repeated back injuries, he still won a career total of 18 medals at major championships before retiring in his mid-30s. He and Don Quarrie and Pietro Mennea set a trend for sprinters in their mid thirties to compete longer in the late Eighties.
althoUGh his latEr career wAs PLAgUed By rEpeateD bAck injuRies, hE StiLl won a cAReEr total oF 18 medaLS AT majOr ChAmpioNshIps BeForE RetiriNg in his mId-30s. He aNd don quArrie AND pietro MeNNEa sET a trend for sprinterS in TheiR mid thiRTiEs tO cOmpEte LOngeR In ThE Late EIGhTiES.