Track & Field

What separates podium winners from world champions?

The Key to Becoming a World Champion: Belief

Thanks very question. James Swift what separates Podium winners from world champions? And I think my answer is simple, it's just belief. Everybody on the podium has the ability to be the world champion. Second, and third place aren't much different than first place could be S. Could be inches. Could be CM that separate first second and third, but the person who's the world champion, I think has got to have a strong belief. I didn't find my belief until later in my career, but once I did everything in my power, My life changed the things that I ate the time that I went to bed, the people that I spent my time with the time in the weight room and I'm the track, certainly for for me, as a track and field athlete, everything changed. When I had that belief and that determination to be the world champion. Everybody works hard, but a world champion, I think works just a little bit harder or world. Champion is a little bit more, dedicated pays a little bit more attention to detail and sometimes it could be one or all of those things. But I think it starts with the belief. First of all that you not only can be a world champion that you believe that you are a world champion.

To separate podium winners from world champions, it is simply belief. Everyone on the podium has the ability to be the world champion, but those who become world champions have strong belief in themselves and pay attention to detail. They often work harder and dedicate more time to their craft.

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What separates podium winners from world champions? In my opinion, it all comes down to belief. Every athlete on the podium has the potential to be a world champion. The difference between first, second, and third place can be minimal, whether it's seconds, inches, or centimeters. However, the person who becomes the world champion must have a strong belief in themselves.

Personally, I didn't discover my belief until later in my career. But once I did, everything changed. I dedicated myself fully, from the food I ate to my sleep schedule, the people I surrounded myself with, and my training regimen. As a track and field athlete, my entire approach shifted when I had that unwavering belief and determination to become a world champion.

While everyone works hard, a world champion goes the extra mile. They are more dedicated, pay closer attention to detail, and may work a little bit harder. It could be a combination of these factors or just one of them. But it all starts with believing that you not only have the potential to be a world champion but truly believing that you already are one.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?

Olympic Champion's Life-Changing Advice: Believe in the Decathlon

Greg Bennett wants to know the best piece of advice I ever received. So, the best piece of advice I ever received was from Jackie Joyner-Kersee. Believe it or not. I qualified for the 1988 Olympic trials in Indianapolis, and I just spent a half a year at Spokane Community College qualified for the trials. And there, I find myself one day before the competition starts in Jackie Joyner-Kersee. And her husband. Bob kersee are on the track and I had never met Jackie. Before I Over and introduced myself and got a chance to talk to them for 15 or 20 minutes. They were so gracious to take the time out, but I told him was like I'd do the decathlon, but I also long jump on my outstanding hurdler and I knew that if I could just hurt a little bit faster, if I could just long jump a little bit farther, I wouldn't end, I wouldn't have to do the decathlon. The decathlon was difficult, I didn't love it. Wasn't my first choice, but in 15 to 20 minutes that I had talked to Bob kersee and Jackie Joyner-Kersee. They convinced me that the decathlon was where I needed to be That was a 1988. I remember going home from those Olympic trials, I didn't have a chance of making the team. I injured myself halfway through the first day, but I remember being on the plane directly and thinking to myself, I'm now a decathlete. I'm going to stop, trying to get out of it. I'm going to commit to it. 100%, three years later, I was a world champion. So the best piece of advice I ever got was from Jackie Joyner-Kersee and her husband. Bob, thank you.

The best piece of advice I ever received was from Jackie Joyner-Kersee and her husband Bob. They convinced me to commit to the decathlon 100% and three years later, I was a world champion.

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The best advice I ever received was from Jackie Joyner-Kersee. I had qualified for the 1988 Olympic trials and happened to meet Jackie and her husband, Bob Kersee, a day before the competition. I shared with them that I was considering focusing on long jump and hurdles instead of the decathlon, as I found the decathlon challenging and not my first choice.

In our 15 to 20-minute conversation, they convinced me that the decathlon was where I needed to be. Despite not having a chance of making the Olympic team that year due to an injury, I made the decision to fully commit to the decathlon. Three years later, I became a world champion.

The advice from Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Bob Kersee to embrace the decathlon and give it my all turned out to be the best advice I ever received. I am grateful to them for their guidance.

What did your rivalry with Dave Johnson mean to you?

Dan and Dave: A Rivalry Fueled by Lessons and Lifelong Friendship

I same dark will ask what did the Rivalry with Dave Johnson mean to me? Well, the Dan and Dave campaign in the early 90s was really a highlight of my career. I had a great time doing it got to know Dave really, really well. He and I have been, you know, lifelong friends but it was also an opportunity for me to learn a lot of life lessons. How to handle the media. You know, had a deal with big crowds and really being in the really being in the Limelight and It was interesting about it. Dave, and I got to actually see, you know, what, it was like to be a high-level athlete in the public eye and we were in a really unknown event. So decathletes and track and field athletes. Really didn't get an opportunity to to see that kind of kind of like, you know, baseball players or NFL players or guys guys in the guys in guys in the major leagues. So it was really a great experience, but it was also really scary because what we were doing was reality, it was real, we hadn't made the Olympic team and one of Of us was expected to win the Olympic gold medal. I'll have nothing, but fond memories for Dan and Dave, but I'll also take a lot of lessons from that time in my life as well. So, thanks for the question.

The Dan and Dave campaign in the early 90s was a great experience for me to learn a lot of life lessons such as how to handle the media and deal with big crowds. It was scary because we were expected to win the Olympic gold medal. I have nothing but fond memories for Dan and Dave, and will take a lot of lessons from that time in my life.

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What did my rivalry with Dave Johnson mean to me? The Dan and Dave campaign in the early 90s was a significant moment in my career. It was a fun experience, and I got to know Dave very well. We became lifelong friends. However, it was also a valuable opportunity for me to learn important life lessons.

Handling the media, dealing with large crowds, and being in the spotlight were all part of the experience. It was interesting to see what it was like to be a high-level athlete in the public eye, especially in a lesser-known event like decathlon. Unlike baseball or NFL players, track and field athletes didn't often receive that level of attention.

The whole experience was both great and scary because it was real. We hadn't even made the Olympic team yet, but there were expectations for one of us to win the Olympic gold medal. I have nothing but fond memories of that time and will always cherish the lessons I learned.

So, thank you for asking about my rivalry with Dave Johnson.

Do you have any tips for pushing through the pain in a race?

Conquer the Pain: Thriving amidst discomfort in races.

All right, good question. Pop P. How do you push through the pain in a race? You know, pain is inevitable, you're going to feel it. You know, you're going to feel it. But it starts with not thinking about what that pain is going to feel like before you even get into the race, okay? How often do you know, you got a 400 meters and 815 coming up across country meet and you're thinking, oh my gosh, I'm really going to go to the well here, I'm really going to go deep. It's going to hurt if you start thinking that way days before. Or or hours before a race, it's really going to throw you off. And trust me, I was a kid who sat in class at 3:00 2:30 in the afternoon and thought, Oh my gosh, I gotta run the 4 by 4. It's really Gonna Hurt. Then when I actually ran the race, it hurt a little bit, but it was never as bad as I made it out to seem earlier in the day or the day before. The decathlon was tough. I knew I was going to experience a lot of discomfort and pain through the two days, and I would work myself up a week in advance. Five days in advance, it is like, oh my gosh, here it comes. But then actually, when you Deal with it. It's not so bad. But how do you deal with the pain in a race? Well, first you got to be able to deal with that pain in practice. I listen to Matthew Center which is answer and he's absolutely right. You have to deal with that on a daily basis because when you come a, come into it and practice, you don't want it to throw you off of your race plan. And then when you're actually in the race digging deep going past that point of pain has got to be a point of Pride for you. Are you tougher than the guy next year? Are you tougher than the lady next to you? Can you handle the pain better? In most around you and one of the one of the ways. One of the things that I really thrived in was an area where everybody else was hurting, everybody's complaining, falling on the ground hurting after practice. That's when I felt the best. There's pictures of me when in the world championships and decathlon, everybody else is laying on the track. And I got my hands up and I just thought that was me. My whole entire career I was going to just be able to handle the pain better than everybody else. So think of it as a personal challenge as well but you also just have to think I'm executing Cuting. Now, what can I do to execute execute this race properly? And part of that execution is holding your form and dealing with the pain.

Pain is inevitable in a race, but it starts with not thinking about the pain before you even get into the race. You have to be able to deal with that pain in practice so it doesn't throw you off of your race plan. When you're actually in the race, think of it as a personal challenge - can you handle the pain better than everyone else? Part of executing the race properly is holding your form and dealing with the pain.

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When it comes to pushing through the pain in a race, it starts with not dwelling on how painful it will be beforehand. Overthinking the pain can throw you off mentally. Instead, focus on the present moment and avoid building up the pain in your mind.

Dealing with pain in practice is crucial. It helps you develop the mental and physical resilience needed to handle discomfort during a race. Embrace the daily challenges in practice and don't let them derail your race plan.

During the race, going beyond the point of pain should become a point of pride for you. Ask yourself if you can handle the pain better than your competitors. Thrive in moments when others are struggling and complaining. Use it as a personal challenge to prove your toughness.

Maintain your focus on executing your race plan. Hold your form and stay committed to proper execution. Remember that pain is inevitable, but it doesn't have to define your performance. Embrace the challenge and push through with determination.

Can you share a story from the Olympics that had nothing to do with your event?

Unforgettable: A Father's Love Carries Injured Athlete to Finish Line

Eduardo Toro, I want to thank you for your question. The question was, can you share a story from the Olympics that had nothing to do with your event? And so I've got a I've got an interesting story, goes clear back to 1992 and the Barcelona Olympics that I didn't qualify for, but I remember just being in the stands, I was announcing broadcasting during those during that competition and the men's 400-meter semifinal went off and Derek Redmond, 400 meter runner from Great. Britain was one of the guys Is slated to not only make the final but maybe even get a medal but in the first 100 meters of the semifinals, he pulled up with a hamstring injury and you can see just how devastating it absolutely was, he laid on the track for a moment and then he got up and proceeded to limp his way around the track. And he got to the 200 meter, Mark, and everybody wondered well what's this guy doing? He can barely walk. He's can barely lift his leg and then he made it around the turn but with about 100 meters to go his father managed to jump out of the Ann's made it through security onto the track and he and his father together would finish that final hundred meters of that 400 meters in Derek Redmon said afterwards that he needed to finish. Because there was never a race that he that he was ever in that he did not finish. And so it was so inspirational by the time, he crossed the Finish Line, all of us in the in the broadcast Booth tears in our eyes but absolutely and iconic and historic moment in all of the sport of track and field. Barcelona 92. Derek Redmond in the 400m m.

Derek Redmond, a 400m runner from Great Britain, was competing in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. In the semifinal, he pulled up with a hamstring injury after 100 meters but decided to continue and finish the race. His father managed to jump out of the stands and run alongside him for the last 100 meters. It was an iconic and historic moment that was very inspirational.

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Thank you, Eduardo Toro, for your question. I have an interesting story from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics that had nothing to do with my event. Although I didn't qualify for the Olympics that year, I was in the stands as an announcer and broadcaster.

During the men's 400-meter semifinal, Derek Redmond, a 400-meter runner from Great Britain, was expected to make it to the final and potentially even win a medal. However, in the first 100 meters of the race, he suffered a devastating hamstring injury. He fell to the ground, and it was clear how much pain he was in.

After a moment, Derek got up and started limping his way around the track. It was incredible to witness. As he reached the 200-meter mark, people were wondering what he was doing. He could barely walk or lift his leg. But he continued, making his way around the turn.

Then, with about 100 meters to go, something extraordinary happened. Derek's father managed to jump out of the stands, bypass security, and join his son on the track. Together, they finished the final hundred meters of the race. Derek later explained that he needed to finish because he had never been in a race that he didn't complete.

This moment was incredibly inspirational. By the time Derek crossed the finish line, tears were streaming down the faces of everyone in the broadcast booth, including myself. It became an iconic and historic moment in the world of track and field.

This story from the 1992 Barcelona Olympics reminds us of the determination, resilience, and the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

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

Unforgettable Showdown: Mike Powell Shatters World Record in Epic Tokyo Battle

Lee Summers, this one's for you. Thank you for your question. What's the greatest sporting event you ever saw in person? I'll tell you what, I've seen a lot of great sporting events. I've never been to a seventh game of a World Series or a seventh game and I NHL hockey championship, but I have been to the Super Bowl. I've been to the college national championships in football. I tell you, there's nothing more exciting than seeing a last-second shot in a college. Basketball game or a pro basketball game, but I have to go back to my own sport, the sport of track and field for the greatest sporting event ever witnessed in person 1991, Tokyo World Championships. Carl Lewis King Carl versus Mike Powell in the men's long jump. I was completing the decathlon second day I get through the javelin, I've got one event to go and I've got about a two-hour break before the last and final event. The 1500 meters and Mike Powell. And Carl Lewis were battling it out in the long jump. Jump both guys had the potential to break the world record. Everyone thought that it would be Carl Lewis who broke that world record of Bob Beamon but it was Mike Powell after a couple of fouls, he was he was in the mix, he was jumping well but he was in the best. Probably the best shape that I had ever seen him and he and I both had the same age and I was good friends with Mike Powell at the time but it was just a Battle Royale on the long journey Point Runway. Literally everybody stop watching what was going on on the track and the all As we're on the men's long jump and Carl Lewis had a couple of big jumps, 29 feet jumps but they weren't world record length. Mike Powell would come away with that Victory on that hot humid night. Same night, I won. My first world championship. I'll never forget it. Mike, pal broke. Bobby. Mann's world record 8, m, 95.

The greatest sporting event I ever saw in person was the 1991 Tokyo World Championships Men's Long Jump, where Mike Powell broke the world record set by Bob Beamon. It was a Battle Royale between Mike and Carl Lewis, and I won my first world championship that night.

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The greatest sporting event I ever saw in person was the 1991 Tokyo World Championships in track and field. Specifically, the men's long jump competition between Carl Lewis and Mike Powell. I was competing in the decathlon and had a break before my final event, the 1500 meters. During that break, I witnessed an intense battle between Lewis and Powell in the long jump.

Both athletes had the potential to break the world record, and everyone expected Lewis to achieve it. However, it was Powell who emerged as the victor. The atmosphere was electric as they competed on the runway, and everyone's attention shifted from the track events to the long jump.

Carl Lewis had some impressive jumps, but they fell short of the world record length. In the end, Mike Powell came away with the victory on that hot and humid night. Coincidentally, it was the same night that I won my first world championship.

It was an unforgettable experience, witnessing Powell break Bob Beamon's long-standing world record with a jump of 8.95 meters. The excitement and intensity of that event will always stay with me.

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Dan O'Brien is an Olympic Gold Medalist in the decathlon and is considered the "World's Greatest Athlete". Adopted at two, he has overcome many adversities, including the most publicized failure in sports history when he "no-heighted" in the pole vault and failed to qualify for the 1992 Olympic team. He went on to win the 1993 and 1995 World Championships, the 1994 Goodwill Games, and three US Championships, leading to the 1996 Olympic Gold Medal in Atlanta. Today Dan is an inspirational leader and motivational force, an on-field emcee for major events, a mentor in the USATF's Win with Integrity program, and an Olympic Ambassador for the USOC. He's also a motivational speaker, color commentator, and assistant volunteer coach at Arizona State University. Dan lives in Scottsdale, Arizona with his wife, training athletes of all ages in a variety of sports.

Dan O’Brien