The Summer Olympic Games of 2024 have started. After the COVID games of Japan, the 2024 Games in PARIS is bringing all the pomp and festival back to the games where the world is not only watching but also attending. I reached out to my cousin Seven Time World Champion and Gold Medal Olympian Brittney Reese the Long Jump Beast to talk about what the athletes in Paris are experiencing and what she hopes to see from the US Track Team. Brittney Reese welcome to The Local Take.
I’m excited to speak to you because this is the first Olympic Games since Beijing where you are not competing. You officially retired after the 2020 Japan Olympics,
I asked Reese what it was like to be on the sidelines for the first time since the Beijing Olympics. She spoke about this Olympics bringing a changing of the guard from the old heads to the up-and-coming athletes. She also spoke about the excitement that the athletes are feeling and what is like in the Olympic Village.
Reese also shared that the USA Team consists a few veterans that can help the first-timers find their way. Even with all of the excitement athletes have to remain focused on their training. I asked Reese how she was able to keep her focus in the excitement of the games.
I asked Reese what she shares with young athletes with Olympic dreams. She speaks about coaching at her high school and working with local track clubs. She shares that several of her students have won track scholarships for college.