Christian Taylor, photo by PhotoRun.net
FAYETTE COUNTY (USA): Christian Taylor, the Olympic triple jump champion, is aiming to compete at the next two Olympic Games, report thecitizen.com. The 24 year old American will follow his coach, Rana Reider, to the Netherlands, where he plans on living for the next two years.
(Editor’s note: Christian Taylor is one of my favorite athletes. I have met his family, and enjoyed their comments and support of Christian. However, having watched Christian compete, I became even more impressed with his Coach Rana Reider. Christian rediscovered his muse with the Triple Jump this past season, as he duplicated what he did in college, racing the 400 meters once again.
At the Birmingham DL Meeting, I spent some time catching up with Rana. He had been coaching the British womens 4 x 100 meters, and several British athletes in the UK.
Fascinating that Rana is headed to the Netherlands. Reider is one of those amazing American technical coaches who have worked with athletes around the world. Fascinating that Rana Reider moves to the Netherlands, and Charles van Commenee, now Director of Performance for the Dutch Olympic Committee worked with Reider while Van Commenee was technical performance director in British athletics.
Rana Reider is on my bucket list for interviews for 2015.
Christian Taylor is one of our most talented jumpers in the world. It will be fascinating watching Christian over the next several years. The coach and athlete relationship is very important. )
