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Meet America’s 10-Year-Old Rising Star!
Nov 09, 2024 | Edition #47
👋 Hey, Speedsters!
You've probably heard the saying, "smooth seas never made a skilled sailor," and it rings especially true in track and field. While some athletes are crossing the finish line with gold medals in hand, others are wrestling with the financial hurdles that come with chasing greatness.
From the excitement of young prodigies blazing through the Junior Olympics to the pressure of defending Olympic titles, the journey to success is never linear. Today’s newsletter explores the extremes—celebrating the rising stars while diving into the often-overlooked struggles behind the scenes. Curious?
So let’s dive in!
📜 QUOTE OF THE DAY
“It’s really all about your training. Whatever you train for, you’ll be ready for.”
— Nadine Faustin
In today’s newsletter, we’ll uncover these top stories from Track & Field universe:
💫 Las Vegas Track Prodigy Turning Heads!
🤯 Tia Jones Unveils Nike’s Crazy Demands!
💪🏻 Tara Davis Woodhall's Anxiety Battle
💰 Coaches Saving Olympic Dreams on a Budget!
📈Trending News
Las Vegas Wonder Myla Johnson Takes the Gold at 10!
Looks like Las Vegas has a little powerhouse in the making and her name’s Myla Johnson! At just 10 years old, this dynamo stormed through the 2024 USATF Junior Olympics and snagged herself a gold medal in the Long Jump! But Myla’s story didn’t start on the track; it all began with a race against her mom, Nicole Cooper, at the local park—where Myla sped right past her, sparking a journey that’s just getting started.
Sure, Myla might admit that the Junior Olympics were a bit nerve-wracking, but thanks to Mom’s reminder to "just have fun," she hit her stride. Fast forward a few years, and this young sprinter is already a three-time Junior Olympian and two-time All-American with her mom as coach. Talk about a dream team!
Now, let’s get real: track and field is booming in the U.S., with 625,333 boys and 506,015 girls tearing up the track in the 2023–2024 season alone. And Las Vegas is about to up the ante with the world’s largest indoor track and field facility, aiming to put Sin City on the track map in a big way. Catch a sneak peek of the arena’s epic layout!
But here’s the catch—Nevada’s got some ground to cover. While states like Texas and California rule high school participation charts, Nevada barely clocked in with a little over 6,100 athletes last season. Compared to the giants, that’s tiny. But here’s the thing: quality over quantity, right? Talent like Myla’s doesn’t need numbers; it just needs a stage. And with the right support, Nevada could be churning out stars ready to shine on the biggest days.
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📊 POLL OF THE DAY
The Junior Olympics have seen some amazing athletes break records, and the girls' long jump is no exception! So here’s today’s trivia!
Who Holds the Junior Olympics Record for the Girls' Long Jump? |
Last Poll’s Result: In our last poll, we asked: "Who Became the Fastest Woman in the 100m at the 2023 World Championships?" The results are in, and 55% of you nailed it! The correct answer is Sha'Carri Richardson—the woman who ran into history with a blistering 10.65 seconds to claim gold!
🤔 Behind-the-Scenes
Tia Jones Refused Nike's Offer—Here’s Why
We’ve got a real head-scratcher here. At just 15, Tia Jones had already made a name for herself in track and field, smashing national and junior records at the Field Championships and USATF National Junior Olympic events. She was on the verge of greatness when she got a contract offer from none other than Nike. But instead of signing, she turned it down. The big question is, why?
Well, Tia recently opened up about her decision in a YouTube podcast, and here’s the deal: Nike wanted her to go pro, but the catch? They wanted her to leave her family, just like they had done with Gabby Douglas. But as Tia explained, “In a Black household, my parents weren’t having it.” This was a huge decision for a high schooler, one that Tia and her family weren’t ready to make. And looking back, at 24, she still stands by that choice. It was the right call, especially considering the complications that could’ve arisen from going pro too soon.
But this isn’t the first time Nike’s contract terms have raised eyebrows. In 2013, Gabby Douglas signed with Nike, and that same summer, her family packed up and moved from Virginia to Los Angeles, ending her long relationship with her coach, Liang Chow. The reason for the move wasn’t exactly clear, but there were plenty of whispers. Fast forward, and Nike athlete Allyson Felix parted ways with the brand after a standoff over their "pregnancy" clause. Nike’s history with controversial contracts? Not exactly spotless. And now, Tia Jones is adding her own chapter to the story.
📽️ Video Vault
Tara Davis: From Rock Bottom to Olympic Gold!
"Through hell and back"— Tara Davis-Woodhall's own words capture her battle with depression and anxiety. But how did she go from struggling to standing atop the Olympic podium? What fueled her comeback, and how did she rise after every fall? Let’s find out!
🏅Beyond-the-Medals
Tara Davis: Balancing Gold, Nerves, and a New Life!
Let’s continue the momentum going from the above segment! Tara Davis-Woodhall has a lot on her plate as she heads into the new season. After winning Olympic long jump gold in Paris, the 25-year-old champion admits she’s been feeling a bit “all over the place.” It’s hard to blame her—becoming an Olympic gold medalist at such a young age left her in shock at first.
But now, there’s a whole new pressure on her shoulders: defending that title. Well, staying on top is the harder hill to climb! No wonder the nerves are starting to kick in during the off-season. As she told People, "So this week, I’m still riding the wave, but now that it’s time for the season to begin again, I think there’s a little bit of anxiety around that."
While there’s definitely a bit of anxiety, Tara also feels some bursts of excitement when she’s not feeling overwhelmed. But let’s be real—those butterflies are starting to set in as the new season approaches, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As an Olympic champion, the pressure is mounting, and Tara admits it still feels surreal when someone calls her that or when she sees that gold medal draped around her neck.
And that’s not all. Tara and her husband, Hunter Woodhall, just made a big move to The Sunflower State job with The Wildcats after their trusted trainer took a new job there. So, with a new season just around the corner and new changes in her life, the nerves are only intensifying. But Tara isn’t backing down. She’s focused on competing with joy, growing, and rebuilding herself for 2025.
And let's not forget, she’s a fighter—she’s recently opened up about battling depression, anxiety, and body dysmorphia, struggles that even led her to compare herself to Ivana Spanovic at one point. That’s just how deep she goes when reflecting on herself, and it's exactly this introspection that's fueling her drive as the new season approaches.
💫Inspiring Feats
Coaches Scrambling to Save Olympic Dreams on a Budget!
We've got a serious issue brewing in track and field, and it’s hitting athletes where it hurts (but not physically): their wallets! Time and time again, stars across the sport have raised the alarm on the struggle to afford training and make ends meet. It’s not just about elite competition; it's about basic needs like food. When every penny counts, many athletes rely on budget-friendly staples: complex carbs like potatoes and pasta, lean proteins like canned tuna and beans, and fruits and veggies. But making that work with rigorous Olympic training? That’s no easy feat.
Cue British coaching power couple Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows. They’ve managed to turn cash-strapped athletes into world champions, and they’re doing it with limited resources. To date, they’ve trained four Olympic track medalists and eight World Championship medalists—plus another 12 podium finishes at European and Commonwealth games. And here’s the kicker: they’re making all this happen on a budget that’s a fraction of what you’d expect.
From Georgia Bell, who snagged a bronze in the 1500m, to gold medalist Keely Hodgkinson, Trevor and Jenny coach a 25-strong roster of Olympians and up-and-comers alike. This has earned Trevor a spot on the shortlist for the BBC's Coach of the Year at the Sports Personality of the Year awards. Here is a clip of him in action! But what about financial support? Well, Trevor and Jenny say brands and sponsors show love to the elite, but there’s a huge gap for the next generation who haven’t scored big contracts yet. Young athletes need full support teams—strength coaches, physiotherapists, nutritionists—and that all comes with a price tag.
This isn’t a new problem either. In a 2020 survey of 500 elite athletes from 48 countries, a whopping 58% said they weren’t financially stable. Some blame their national federations or even the IOC for leaving them out to dry, with basic training needs overlooked. And for these athletes, financial stress is just another hurdle, pulling focus from what should be their only concern: winning. They shouldn’t be sweating rent, groceries, or therapy bills. And that’s where Trevor and Jenny come in as true lifesavers.
📝 Highlighted Stories!
Noah Lyles Lands Million-Dollar Sponsorship for Controversial Trait - Full Story
Gabby Thomas Hits Back at Troll Over IShowSpeed Comments- Full Story
Sad Reality of Track & Field Explained by Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Husband Using Noah Lyles - Full Story
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Revealed How First Race After Tokyo Became a Blessing in Disguise - Full Story
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone Gifts Husband Special Memento After NFL Retirement - Full Story
That’s it for today, folks! We’ll look to knock on your inbox soon with more interesting stories!
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