Greg Rutherford, gold medal, World Championships, Long Jump, Beijing, photo by PhotoRun.net
John Godina was one of the greatest shot putter/discus throwers in our sports history. What many do not seem to appreciate is that besides a huge work ethic, and a superb coach (Art Venegas), John Godina is one of those guys who just will not give up.
Godina has taken that drive and put it into Altis. When one speaks to John about his dream and the launch of that dream facility, it is obvious that this guy has the focus, drive and work ethic to make it happen.
Altis, as the article below states, from our fave SPIKES magazine (powered by IAAF.org), would have been a top ten country with its medal haul.
Had Altis, the elite training centre located in Phoenix, Arizona, entered the Beijing World Championships as a nation, it would have finished just outside the top ten in the medal table. Altis CEO, founder and four-time world shot put champion John Godina gives his ten-step guide to building one of the sport’s most successful training environments.
1. A vision of success
John Godina formed Altis (formerly known as the World Athletics Center) out of the World Throws Center six years ago after noticing a gap in the US system that was hindering athletes’ progression.
“The inspiration was to set up a support system for those athletes after collegiate level in the US,” he explains. “It is a difficult climb for many athletes here and we needed something to fill that void.”
Fabrice Lapierre, World Championships, Long Jump, Silver medal, photo by PhotoRun.net
2. Location, location, location
Having spent the final four years of his medal-laden career (three world outdoor titles, one world indoor, one Olympic silver and one bronze) in Phoenix, AZ, Godina knew the benefits of being based out of the city.
“The weather is very good,” he tells us. “Yet unlike cities such as San Diego or L.A., which also have great weather, living in Phoenix you not only have the weather but have the opportunity to live inexpensively.”
Aries Merritt, bronze medal, World Championships, 110m hurdles, photo by PhotoRun.net
To read the entire story, please go to: http://spikes.iaaf.org/post/altis-home-of-champions
