Tara Davis-Woodhall Embraces Fun in Long Jump Journey Towards Paris Olympics

Tara Davis-Woodhall may not seem like a typical athlete as she skips down the running track wearing a cowboy hat and a big smile on her face. But when she takes off her hat, a sense of determination takes over the American track and field star. This leads her to deliver an outstanding performance, achieving a massive jump of over seven meters to secure the gold medal and maintain her unbeaten streak for the year.

Several weeks ago, at the indoor world championships in Glasgow, Scotland, I witnessed a memorable moment. With the gold medal in hand, there were joyous celebrations - the cowboy hat made a comeback, along with the smiling and dancing along the side of the track.

It's truly inspiring to see Davis-Woodhall's approach to the long jump. Even in the midst of fierce competition, she manages to find reasons to laugh, making it hard not to be swept up in her enthusiasm.

"My main goal is to have fun," she shares with CNN Sport. "I enjoy being carefree and spontaneous.

"When I try to concentrate, my mind wanders. I'm not a focused athlete. I prefer to be active, cheering on my teammates - that's how I stay motivated and energized in this sport."

The victory in Glasgow felt like a breakthrough moment for Davis-Woodhall after she had come so close to winning gold at last year’s world championships.

Davis-Woodhall celebrates her victory at the indoor world championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Davis-Woodhall celebrates her victory at the indoor world championships in Glasgow, Scotland.

Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images

The 24-year-old was leading the competition until Serbia’s Ivana Španović made the best jump of the year on her fifth attempt, taking the gold and leaving Davis-Woodhall with the silver.

Coming in second in such a heartbreaking way was a mix of emotions - bitter but also a valuable learning experience.

"That second place was actually a good thing," Davis-Woodhall reflects. "It taught me the importance of working even harder. I was close to winning gold in that competition, but it was taken away from me."

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - MARCH 03: Silver medalist Noah Lyles of Team United States poses for a photo after the Men's 4x400 Metres Relay Final on Day Three of the World Athletics Indoor Championships Glasgow 2024 at Emirates Arena on March 03, 2024 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Noah Lyles, from Team United States, proudly shows off his silver medal after the Men's 4x400 Metres Relay Final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The event took place on March 3, 2024, at the Emirates Arena. The photo was taken by Alex Pantling for Getty Images.

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Davis-Woodhall's incredible start to the year may have been inspired by a need to secure her position with a remarkable performance. She has won all four of her long jump events and achieved a personal best at the US indoor championships in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This year presents a great opportunity to push boundaries. Davis-Woodhall is currently in top form leading up to the Paris Olympics in August. Despite her focus on enjoying the event, she still aims for the gold medal. "Gold is my ultimate goal, but my main priority is to have a good time out there."

At the very least, Davis-Woodhall appears to be on track to surpass her sixth-place ranking at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. She is optimistic about her progress, believing that she has matured both personally and athletically since then.

"I will be turning 25 this year and I feel like I am entering a more mature phase of my life," she explains. "I have discovered that I am finding more happiness in my current pursuits compared to my time in Tokyo. Back then, it felt like I was constantly striving to reach a goal, like climbing a never-ending ladder."

“Now I’ve figured out where I want to be and I’m doing what I want to do.”

Davis-Woodhall trains with her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodall.

Davis-Woodhall trains with her husband, Paralympian Hunter Woodall.

Michael Woods/AP

Between the Tokyo Olympics and now, there have been some challenges. Last year, Davis-Woodhall lost her national indoor title and was suspended for one month. This happened because she tested positive for THC, a substance found in cannabis, marijuana, and hashish.

Even though THC is not considered to enhance performance, it is still not allowed according to the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Davis-Woodhall expressed her gratitude for the support she received despite her recent suspension, admitting that her actions were not wise. She acknowledged her mistake on her vlog, "Tara and Hunter," stating, "I was dumb" and "I wasn't on my ps and qs."

Despite the setback, Davis-Woodhall remains a well-known figure in the track and field community. Alongside her husband, Paralympic sprinter Hunter Woodhall, they have amassed 775,000 YouTube subscribers on their vlog. The channel documents their athletic journeys, their relationship, and their experiences at track meets both in the US and internationally.

Davis-Woodhall's success has led to sponsorship deals with energy drink Celsius and sportswear brand Lululemon. At events, her cowboy hat, along with her singing and dancing, helps her stand out and be easily recognized.

When asked about her iconic headgear, the University of Texas alum explains, "It kind of just made its little place in my style, I guess, and it’s just lived on from then."

Davis-Woodhall competes at last year's world championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Davis-Woodhall competes at last year's world championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Michael Steele/Getty Images

As one of the world’s top long jumpers, you feel that Davis-Woodhall’s opinion and her voice matter, particularly when it comes to the future of the sport.

Long jump is a track and field event that World Athletics is looking to improve by replacing the fixed board with a take-off zone. This change would eliminate fouls and instead measure an athlete's jump from where they start to where they land in the pit.

The proposal, suggested by World Athletics chief executive Jon Ridgeon in February, has sparked mixed reactions. Davis-Woodhall is one of those who doubt its popularity.

"I think it might be a little silly," she says, "just because you kind of take away from the principle of long jump.

I have been trying to perfect this craft for a very long time now, and that is to get my foot perfectly on the board, no centimeters lost … and now we’re just going to take that away?"

Low-level and high school events may face challenges in using the necessary technology to measure a jump from a take-off zone. This creates a divide between amateur and professional long jump competitions.

Davis-Woodhall believes that change can be positive. She is open to trying new approaches and is supportive of conducting trial and error to see how things progress.

Davis-Woodhall finds great joy in her sport at this moment, feeling a strong sense of control over her performances and her career.

She expresses, “I feel empowered to lead my own thoughts and actions. This newfound freedom has allowed me to explore countless opportunities and open doors to endless possibilities.”

With the Olympics on the horizon, this year is full of exciting opportunities. This is especially true for athletes like Davis-Woodhall, who is currently achieving greater distances and performing with increased confidence.

Editor's P/S:

Tara Davis-Woodhall's unique approach to the long jump is a breath of fresh air in the world of competitive athletics. Her emphasis on fun and spontaneity, coupled with her determination to succeed, makes her a captivating athlete to watch. Her recent victory at the indoor world championships in Glasgow is a testament to the power of positive thinking and enjoying the moment.

Davis-Woodhall's journey has not been without challenges, including a suspension for a positive drug test. However, she has emerged from these experiences with a renewed sense of self and purpose. Her willingness to embrace change and try new approaches, such as the proposed take-off zone for long jump, shows her commitment to the sport and her desire to make a positive impact.