Track & Field

What motivated you to continue competing after your knee surgery in 1993?

After Devastating Knee Surgery, Olympic Jumper Finds Unyielding Motivation

Hey Sam. How you doing, man? What motivates you to continue competing after your knee surgery in 1993? Well, Sam basically, I just wasn't ready for my career to be over with. I had shown great potential even though I tore my patella tendon early 1990, I continue to jump and ended up winning in seized with a jump of 7, 8 and a half and then The next year, 91 came back out set, the current American record with a jump of 7, 10 and a half, one Outdoor World Championship equaling, the championship record with seven, nine and three-quarters. And so, at that point, I knew what I had what it took to become one of the greatest to ever compete in the sport. And so I wanted it and then 92, I finished a disappointing eighth place at the Olympics in Barcelona and that To really disturb me and then 93 having four different doctors, tell me that my career was over and having a surgery where a doctor de lis removed, a half of my patella. Remove right at half of my patella tendon. I was just really, you know, upset and but at the same time, very motivated to get back out there So after having the surgery went home, grab my resistance bands and you know, started my rehab just, you know, very diligent and focus with my training or rehab at home and you know, once I got back out there that fall I jump 6:10. At training from five steps. And so at that point, being that the Olympics were here in the US in 96, my focus went solely to making that team and positioning myself to win. I wanted to make up for 92 and and just really focus in in that fire was just at an all-time high. So those years Leading up. I was just very focused and motivated for the 96 games.

After my knee surgery in 1993, I was determined to get back out there and prove myself. With the Olympics in the US in 1996, I was motivated to make the team and win. So I worked hard with my rehabilitation, eventually jumping a 6:10 from five steps, and I pushed myself to become one of the greatest competitors in the sport.

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Hey Sam, how's it going? What motivated me to continue competing after my knee surgery in 1993? Well, I simply wasn't ready for my career to be over. Despite tearing my patella tendon in early 1990, I continued to jump and even won some competitions. In 1991, I set the current American record and equaled the championship record at the Outdoor World Championship. I knew I had the potential to become one of the greatest in the sport.

However, a disappointing eighth-place finish at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona really bothered me. Then, in 1993, four different doctors told me that my career was over. I underwent surgery where half of my patella tendon was removed. It was a tough time, but it also fueled my motivation to prove them wrong.

After the surgery, I went home, grabbed my resistance bands, and started my rehab with great determination. I was focused and diligent in my training. When I returned to the field that fall, I jumped 6'10 in training from just five steps. That's when my focus shifted entirely to making the team for the 1996 Olympics, which were going to be held in the US. I wanted to make up for my disappointment in 1992 and position myself to win.

In the years leading up to the 1996 games, I remained incredibly focused and motivated. That fire inside me was burning stronger than ever. So, Sam, that's what kept me going and striving for greatness during that time.

What goes through your mind during a final attempt at a height?

The Mindset of a High Jumper: Embrace the Challenge and Prove Yourself

Hello, male first. I would like to say, thanks for the question. What goes through your mind during a final attempt at a height? Well, a lot of different things. First, you know, I try to calm my nerves being that it's the last attempt. There's a bit of nervousness anxiousness. I mainly try to calm myself down and focus. I visualize my Approach. My takeoff, I visualized me cleaning the bar and so when I'm sitting there before, I start is just trying to be in the moment block out, all the noise block out all the self-doubt, which really I don't have any because I feel if the doubt Creeps in, I'm at a loss. I'm at a loss at that point. Anyway, so I try to stay in remain very confident because I know I prepared myself for that moment in time the training Who was there? I'm feeling good. I'm feeling strong. So it's just a matter of me executing and doing what I'm supposed to do. So it's a very Nerve-wracking. But exciting moment for me because it's a challenge. It's I've been presented with a challenge and now I get an opportunity to see what I'm made of and so it's fun. It's you know it's like I say it's a lot of different emotions going on. But The main thing I'm really excited because I get a chance to prove myself and see what I'm made of. And I feel I'm very confident in who I am. And so as a challenge just for me to step up

When attempting a final height, I try to remain calm and confident, blocking out any doubt I may have. I visualize my approach and focus on the moment, excited for the chance to prove myself and see what I'm made of.

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During a final attempt at a height, a lot of different thoughts and emotions go through my mind. Firstly, I try to calm my nerves and alleviate any anxiousness that may arise due to the pressure of the last attempt. I focus on staying present in the moment and blocking out any external distractions or self-doubt.

Visualization plays a crucial role as well. I mentally go through my approach, takeoff, and clearing the bar. This helps me prepare and build confidence in my abilities. I believe that maintaining confidence is essential because doubt can be detrimental to my performance.

Overall, it's a nerve-wracking yet exciting moment for me. I see it as a challenge and an opportunity to test myself. I feel well-prepared and strong, thanks to my training. It's a chance to prove myself and discover what I'm truly capable of. Despite the mix of emotions, I approach it with excitement and confidence, ready to step up to the challenge.

What’s the greatest sporting event you ever saw in person?

The Unmatched Energy of the Olympic Games

What's the greatest sporting event you ever saw in person? Well, the greatest sporting event that I ever saw in person and competed at competed in of course, was the Olympics. You can't get any bigger than the Olympics there you're seeing and competing against the best athletes on the planet. People that have spent. Their entire lives. Trying to get to that competition and when a metal so you know the level of competition is going to be at the highest and just the energy and excitement that goes around our that goes with the Olympics. You can't match that and any other sport or any other sporting event. Like I say that's the highest of the highest and we're the best of the best compete. And, you know, the performances that you see at the Olympic Games are just unbelievable. Even walking around the Olympic Village, you know, seeing the athletes and knowing that, hey, your With the greatest, the best. And so it's amazing. Before I made the Olympic team, everyone that has have competed at the games. Told me that they energy and excitement is at a whole new level. It's nothing like it. And so once I was able to go in 92 and they were right. It's nothing like the Olympic Games. Do you watch this competition? You know, growing up and to be there and to witness it in person. It's just unbelievable. Unbelievable. The Opening Ceremonies the competition, the closing ceremony, it's just a great, great event to watch and be a part of

The greatest sporting event I ever saw in person and competed at was the Olympics. The level of competition is the highest, and the energy and excitement is unlike any other. It was amazing to witness it all in person and be a part of it.

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The greatest sporting event I ever saw in person was the Olympics. Competing and witnessing the Olympics is an unparalleled experience. It's the pinnacle of sports where you encounter and compete against the best athletes in the world. The level of competition is incredibly high, and the energy and excitement surrounding the Olympics are unmatched by any other sporting event.

Being in the presence of athletes who have dedicated their entire lives to reaching this stage and winning a medal is awe-inspiring. The performances you witness at the Olympic Games are truly remarkable. Even just walking around the Olympic Village and interacting with fellow athletes is an incredible experience. It's a reminder that you are among the greatest, the best in the world.

Before I made the Olympic team, those who had competed at the Games told me that the energy and excitement are on a whole different level. And they were absolutely right. The Olympic Games are like nothing else. Watching the competition that I had grown up watching on TV and being there in person was simply unbelievable. From the Opening Ceremonies to the intense competition and the closing ceremony, it's a truly remarkable event to watch and be a part of.

How discouraging is it to hit the bar on a jump attempt?

Frustrating Misses: Overcoming Bar Hits for Jump Success

Hello male. How you doing? You know, just looking at your question, how discouraging is it to hit the bar on a jump attempt? Well, of course, been that athlete and, you know, competing you never want to miss, you know. So it's a little disappointing, but at the same time, if it's early on in the competition, what I try to do is go back and refocus and think about what I could have done to clear on the next attempt and then I proceed on that next to jump on that next jump to make those adjustments but if it's like my very last jump of the competition and you know, when is on the line and I'm trying to set a record and it's my last jump and I miss Oh man. It's it's it's very disturbing and, you know, it's frustrating because you want to win, you want to set the record and you want to be successful. But like I say at the same time, you know, afterwards I've met, you know, feel a little sad or upset, but in an hour or two, you know, I start Refocus, I start to think about that jump and what I did, and what I didn't do, and what I can do, better to achieve the success that I want. And so it's all about learning. I try to stay positive, I try to stay focused. And, you know, with understanding this is going to make me better. This is forcing me to think About the things and do the things I need to do to get better. So that's how I see it. It's all positive to me. You know, it's learning and growing and having an opportunity to get better. So hopefully that works for you and thanks a lot for the question.

Missing a jump attempt can be disappointing, but I stay positive and refocus on what I could have done better in order to achieve success. It's all about learning and growing so that I can get better.

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Hitting the bar on a jump attempt can be discouraging, especially as an athlete who never wants to miss. It can be disappointing, but if it happens early in the competition, I try to refocus and think about what adjustments I can make to clear the bar on the next attempt.

However, if it's my very last jump and the stakes are high, like setting a record, missing can be extremely frustrating and disturbing. I want to win and achieve success. But after the initial disappointment, I take some time to reflect on the jump, what I did and didn't do, and how I can improve for future attempts.

I try to maintain a positive mindset and stay focused. I see it as an opportunity to learn and grow, to identify areas where I can get better. It's all about using the experience to become a stronger athlete. So, ultimately, I view it as a positive, knowing that it will contribute to my improvement.

Thank you for the question!

When is hard work not enough or counter productive?

Hard work: When is it counterproductive or not enough?

Okay. When is hard work? Not enough are counterproductive. Well, let's start off with hard work, not being enough. Well, you can go out and just work really, really hard and, you know, push yourself to the point of exhaustion, where you just absolutely can't do anything else. But if there's not A plan in place of why you're doing those things. And you know what? That training, what's, you know, what? You're trying to get out of that training if you don't have a set plan, you know, when you're just out there pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion with no real Rhyme or Reason, that's that's not enough. You know, that that's not enough. The, you have to have a plan of action, you have to have Something you working towards first and foremost. When hard work is counterproductive. Well, when I think of that, I feel let's say you have an injury and you just out there, still grinding and you know, working through the pain and you basically, you know, risking hurting yourself, even further, you're not listening to your body that you're not paying attention to those warning signs. that's when Hard work is counterproductive to me because for one my body is not going to, you know, perform the exercises to my best ability, because that protective Instinct period. So, you getting out there and pushing yourself, trying to, you know, push through the pain. You just risk hurting yourself even more so hard. Work is counterproductive in that way to me.

Hard work is not enough when there is no plan in place of why you are doing the work. Hard work can be counterproductive when it leads to pushing yourself beyond what your body can handle and risking further injury.

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When is hard work not enough or counterproductive? Let's break it down. 

Hard work is not enough when you're simply pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion without a clear plan or purpose. Without a set plan or understanding of what you're trying to achieve, working hard alone is insufficient. Having a plan of action and a specific goal is crucial for making hard work effective.

On the other hand, hard work becomes counterproductive when you ignore warning signs, such as an injury, and continue to push through the pain. By disregarding your body's signals and risking further harm, you hinder your ability to perform exercises effectively. In this case, hard work becomes counterproductive as it can lead to more severe injuries.

In summary, hard work needs to be accompanied by a well-defined plan and purpose to be effective. It becomes counterproductive when you ignore warning signs and jeopardize your well-being.

 When did you first get into the high jump? 

Uncover the Journey: From 8th grade to 6 feet 11 inches in high jump

Hello Pablo. When did you first get into the high jump? Well, Pablo the first time I have a high jump was I think 8th grade. Maybe even 7th grade. I know 8th grade. I was 52 and I jump 510. I don't know why I was drawn to that event but I well I guess I do know why I was drawn to that event. But actually I high jump and ran the hurdles and track that year and then I didn't pick it up again until my senior year of high school. And that's when I jumped 6 feet 11 inches my senior year of high school. So like I say eighth grade is one I think. Actually high jump for the first time. I'm pretty sure. And then, like I say, ninth grade tenth, grade 11 great. There was no interest in track and field whatsoever and then my senior year, some friends of mine talked me into coming out for track. They were saying how we were all graduating and it was a, you know, our last time to really hang out before we all went our separate ways. And so at the very last minute, I decide to go out and hide. You funny story is when I went out and asked the coach, if I could hide jump at first, he told me. No. And then with the little coursing from my friends, he decide to let me on and he said, if I could jump six feet, he would lead me on and being that. I jumped five ten and eighth grade at 52. I didn't see it was, it was going to be a problem, jumping six feet. And like I say that year I went on to jump, see 611.

I first got into high jump in 8th grade, when I was 52 and jumped 510. I took a break until senior year, where some friends talked me into coming out for track and the coach said he would let me join if I could jump 6 feet. I ended up jumping 611 that year.

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Hello Pablo. When did you first get into the high jump? Well, Pablo, I first tried high jump in either 7th or 8th grade. I remember in 8th grade, I jumped 5'2 and 5'10. I'm not exactly sure why I was drawn to the event, but I guess I had an interest in it. I also participated in hurdles that year. After that, I didn't pursue high jump until my senior year of high school. During that year, I jumped 6'11. So, to answer your question, I believe 8th grade was when I first got into high jump. It wasn't until my senior year that I really focused on it and achieved a height of 6'11.

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Charles Allen Austin is an American athlete who won the gold medal in the men's high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He is the only high jumper to win gold medals in the Olympics, Outdoor World Championships, Indoor World Championships and World Cup Championships. He set the Outdoor World Championship record with a jump of 2.32m (7' 7 1/4") in 1983 and holds the highest combined average height for the two championships. He was inducted into the US Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012.

Charles Austin