Whenever one achieves a goal of significance, it is natural to look back on the path it took to achieve that goal. I can't help but look back at my career on the track and remember. From my days at Ramay Junior Highschool in Fayetteville, AR where I was shy and nervous at my first day of practice, ( I threw up). I remember learning to high jump from Coach Childress. (high jump was my first baby). I remember the state meet and the meet of champs with coach Davies. I also remember when I decided I was going to be the best. It was my sophomore year at Fayetteville High School. I was working with coach Culp. He pushed me hard, and he believed in me! I was serious since then. I finished high school at Dulles where I worked with Coach Henderson we had an amazing time. I dont know how many times she heard, where did this girl come from, and why is she on Junior Varsity. Logistics with our district made me do JV track as a Junior, but we prevailed! I won the USATF Youth Nationals high jump and the USATF Junior Olympic high jump in 2002. Then I went to Rice, where I learned what real hard work is. Victor Lopez and Jim Bevan not only taught me my craft, but they taught me to understand it technically. 100m hurdles, high jump, long jump, basic running. I learned. I never made it to an NCAA indoor national meet. I made it to three NCAA outdoor meets, and ranked no higher than 5th. I was proud of myself, but I wanted more. I worked hard. I graduated from Rice University, but I couldn't hang up my shoes... I needed more. No one ever told me I couldn't, but there were some who had the doubt in their eyes. I didn't care, I wanted it, and I was going to get it. And....... I got it. I did not win the trials, but I got third. The competition was amazing. I respect everyone there. My goal is always to win. This is just the begining. But I'm going to Beijing. I am an Olympian. I am pleased.
---- When you throw yourself into a goal and pursue it single mindeldy, sometimes you are the only one who believes in it. I have had so many people who believed with me. My family has always been there for me, and they are appreciated for it. My mother told me I could fly, she tells me often, and I believe her. My dad told me I can do anything I want to, So I did. I love them and I want them to know it. There is one person in my life who stands out. Jim Bevan, my coach. He has always believed in me. He has always been there for me on the track. He has always guided me to what is the succesful track career I am experiencing now. Jim is relentless and I want to send him the biggest shout out, and the biggest hug, and let him know that the gratitude that I have for his work with me is immense.
Funmi K. Jimoh Olympian
