Katie Nageotte, a Nike professional athlete along with the Olympic Trials winner and world leader in the women's pole vault, joins DyeStat editor Erik Boal ahead of Aug. 2 qualifying at the Tokyo Olympics to discuss being one of the favorites to earn a medal and contend for gold in perhaps the deepest competiton in the event's history at a global championship. Nageotte, who cleared a Trials record 16-2.75 (4.95m) to capture her third U.S. national title and equal the No. 3 all-time competitor in the pole vault, explains the challenges she faced rebounding from testing positive for COVID-19 during the winter and how significant it was to vault again April 24 at Drake Relays after missing three months of competition. Nageotte examines her consistency over the past year, including five meets clearing at least 16-0.75 (4.90m), and how she has discovered the poles, approach and technique that works best for her. She reflects on her final Olympic tuneup July 9 and clearing 16-0.75 to win the Diamond League meeting in Monaco, and the confidence that created as she prepared for Tokyo. Nageotte analyzes her collaboration with coach and mentor Brad Walker, the 2007 World champion and a two-time Olympian, and how he has not only helped her develop into one of the elite global competitors at age 30, but also been a great asset in contributing to her mental toughness and emotional balance. She shares what it would mean to represent the state of Ohio, in addition to Olmstead Falls High and Ashland University, by earning an Olympic medal, and how significant it would be to join Stacy Dragila (2000) and Jenn Suhr (2012) as the only American female pole vaulters to capture a gold medal. Nageotte expresses gratitude for being able to represent the U.S., along with Sandi Morris and Morgan LeLeux-Romero, in addition to the opportunity to compete against authorized neutral athlete and reigning World champion Anzhelika Sidorova of Russia, as well as 2016 Olympic gold medalist Katerina Stefanidi of Greece, Holly Bradshaw of Great Britain and Nina Kennedy of Australia.