Reese Committed To Seeing Through 2021, Unsure About 2022

By DyeStat

We contacted 2012 Olympic gold medalist Brittney Reese in the wake of the Olympic Games postponement due to the COVID-19 outbreak to find out how she was feeling about the move as well as her thoughts on the future. At 33, Reese is a legend in her event, the long jump, and has been a dominant figure for more than a decade.

Here are our questions for Reese and her responses:

DyeStat: How has your March 2020 training deviated from your plan in the wake of the outbreak (even before the Olympics announcement was made).  

BR: My March training was around the same as it has been for the past few years before the outbreak. We were aware of the situation and were just trying to stay healthy while getting some quality work in. Now that the Olympics are officially postponed my training will be me being active until things calm down and wait to see what the World Athletics say (to determine) what are our next moves.

As it became apparent that the Tokyo Games were unlikely to happen on their intended dates, how much concern did that raise in you?

BR: I was really concerned, as the number of outbreaks in the USA were increasing daily, that the Tokyo Games were unlikely to happen. It was the right decision.

What is your reaction to the prospect of a year without any meets – or at least none for the next couple of months?

BR: A couple of months to a year without any meets will just feel weird. For me, once they officially announce dates for everything, I will have to adjust according to that. I hope it doesn’t get to that (a whole year). 

What are your thoughts about extending your career to 2021 and possibly 2022 (Oregon WCs)? 

BR: Extending my career to 2021 was always the plan but 2022 was not. It will be interesting to see how I am feeling after the Olympics to determine if I want to compete in 2022.

What sort of strain or difficulty does a five-year separation between Games have for you as opposed to someone who may be younger?

BR: There will be some difficulties, but not a lot with the five-year separation. I feel I have the best team around me right now who are just as hungry as I am for another medal. They will give me their best so that I can go out and give mine.

How much access do you currently have to training facilities?

BR: The access I do have is limited but manageable for now. I have a track to train on but can’t lift weights there. I was fortunate enough to grab some equipment so I can do some lifting at home. It will do for now.