by Larry EderKatie Nageotte is the 2021 Olympic champion at the Tokyo Olympics. She battled back from a two-miss deficit, and took the win in a decisive fashion from Anzehliha Sidorova, her top competitor. Katie won US title in 2021 outdoors and indoor titles in 2018 and 2019.
Now she has to challenge herself, after reaching her dream to find new motivations.
A fascinating conundrum.
Katie Nageotte, Muller Indoor GP, photo by British Athletics
Consider this.
You have dreamed, all of your life, about making an Olympic team, much less, an Olympic medal.
Well, Katie Nageotte achieved her biggest dream.
In the heat of the competition that ensued in Tokyo, Katie Nageotte kept her cool. When she had missed twice, and the entire US audience was on the edge of their proverbial seats viewing Peacock TV, Katie kept her cool.
And with the coolest, most stoic Russian this writer has EVER seen, Anzheliha Sidorova, Katie did not falter, she took control and went on the offensive, modeling her attack after that famous, but eccentric US general (also an Olympian), George S. Patton, Jr., ” Avancer, Toujours avancer”. Katie pushed the envelope and delivered when she had to.
And won the Olympic medal.
Now, she has a new challenge.
After achieving her gold medal in the Olympics, what do she and her coach, Brad Walker do next?
There is a story attributed to Frank Shorter, the 1972 Gold medalist and the 1976 Olympic bronze medalist at the marathon. In 1980, while still fit, he ran a 2:22 for the marathon when he knew he was really fit. Shorter noted that the drive after having achieved one’s dreams is really tough. Does one want to hurt that bad again? Where is the drive.
Katie recently had some issues in competing, but in Europe battled Anzelhika Siderova, and while Siderova won, Katie took a American lead of 4.80m at the Meeting de Lieven. This was after opening at 4.60m at the UCS Pole Vault Summit and a tough 4.35m at the Millrose Games.
” I need to find new goals, now that I achieved my Olympic goal.” noted Katie Nageotte at today’s presser.
Between coach Brad Walker, and herself, Katie will find new motivations. These are just the challenges that many do not see for elite athletes. Where does one go from here?
For Katie Nageotte, this writer sees her just going higher!
If Katie can win in Spokane, with will be her third US indoor title. She won in 2018 and 2019.
