Brittney Reese is an Olympic gold medalist and 5-time world champion in the long jump. Reese recently spoke with rolling out about her Olympic experience and the truth about track and field.
How were you introduced to track and field?
I was introduced to track and field in the 7th grade. I was more of a sprinter and a high jumper. I was introduced to the long jump in high school because I was playing basketball and my track coach took the basketball team out to the track. He basically told us whoever could jump the furthest wins a soda. The first time I jumped, it was 17ft. That’s basically how I got started doing the long jump.
What was it like to experience the Olympics?
In 2008, when I did my first team, I wasn’t really into it until I actually got to Beijing and I went to the village. It was great to see all of the athletes. By the time we got ready for the opening ceremony, we were about to meet the president. Everybody that was on the United States team was sitting on the same row. That was the most exciting moment. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. Once we started walking through the tunnel during the opening ceremony, we saw the big crowd and athletes from different countries. It was a surreal moment.
What should up-and-coming track and field participants know about the sport?
As a track athlete, you’re not going to be expected to come out here and make millions of dollars like football players or basketball players would. You have to be dedicated to the sport on and off the track. You have to work hard during practice and throughout the whole journey. I don’t worry about making money. I worry about other people also becoming successful. That’s what it’s about. Do what it takes to stay on top.
