Paris (AFP) – Paralympic discus thrower Jeremy Campbell secured his fourth title and then said he needs to reflect whether he goes for a fifth in Los Angeles to beat legendary fellow American Al Oerter’s haul of four Olympic gold medals in the event. Campbell, who also won the Paralympic pentathlon title in Beijing in 2008, set a new Games record on Thursday with his winning throw of 61.14 metres at the Stade de France.
The 37-year-old, who had the lower part of his right leg amputated aged just 11 months after being born with a rare congenital condition called fibular hemimelia, has much to consider when he weighs up whether to defend his title in 2028. For aside from his athletic career, he coaches and also owns a mould remediation company in Oklahoma. “It really quickly does kind of take over,” he said of his business. “So it’s been a very interesting few years to learn how to manage time and to set priorities and to find that sweet spot in the balance.”
However, it is tempting for him to try and surpass the late Oerter’s feat — by coincidence, they both have links to the so-called Tornado Alley. New York-born Oerter — the first Olympic athlete to win four successive titles in the same event (1956-68) — developed his love for it at the University of Kansas, and Campbell honed his skills at the University of Central Oklahoma. Although the genial Campbell said in Paris “there’s a good chance those are my last six throws,” he added it was hard to think about his future with “these emotions coursing through me.”
“I think when I get home, I just spend a little bit more time reflecting,” said Campbell, who admitted he and his coach had targeted equalling Oerter’s tally. “Maybe figure out if I do go one more, what do I want motivation to be? What would it be? So that way I can honour that as I train (and) really just put my heart and soul into it.”
Age should not be a barrier — Oerter incredibly threw his farthest mark aged 43, long after his Olympic triumphs. Another factor is having stamped his authority on the discus; Campbell is much more relaxed. “I’ve been doing it for a long time, 16 years,” he said. “But I’m starting to learn how to have fun with it now. I’ve gotten to a place in maturity in the sport, be detached from the emotions that used to override things. Now I’m just here for the ride. And really have fun out there like I did tonight. That makes a world of difference.”
Unlike at the Tokyo Paralympics when he regained his title in an empty stadium because of Covid restrictions, Campbell had around a dozen family and friends including his girlfriend in the stadium, though his two brothers, former rodeo rider Jacob and ex-NFL player Caleb, were unable to make it. He ran over and embraced them all, but the biggest hug was for the seminal influence on the former high school quarterback, who once contemplated a career in gridiron — his coach Larry Judge. “He’s just been such a rock since day one,” said Campbell, who began working with Judge in 2009. “We’ve grown a lot together through the highs and lows. So we had a big hug.”
Campbell says he has been on a journey of improvement that continues. “It’s become a journey of just self-improvement, self-growth…I can really be proud of myself. I’ve grown so much since day one in every respect,” he said. “It’s been a lot of fun and arduous at times, but we just keep showing up.” Whether the journey has one final stop-off in Los Angeles in 2028, time will tell.
© 2024 AFP
