 Smith & wife Sandi IslandStats.com
Following his Meet today, Smith took to Social Media and wrote, “Potentially the end of an era. Last week I jumped in Colorado Springs and felt the best I’ve felt in years.
In the 2nd round I jumped 7.94, 4th round I fouled an 8.40+, and then the 5th jump I strained my hamstring,” continued Smith.
Smith continued, “The last 9 days have been spent rehabbing and getting treatment for hours every day for one more competition, one more opportunity to hit the qualifying standard of 8.22m.”
“Today was that day and ultimately 9 days just wasn’t enough time. Without training my body just wasn’t ready to be on the cutting edge of its performance capabilities,” Smith went on to say.
Smith continued, “The great news is I competed healthy. Just 9 days after a strain and barely had a discomfort. If I had more time.. or the qualification system was not so damn unfair then I know I would be punching my ticket to Tokyo.”
Smith went on to say, “Instead I sit on the bubble.. They take 32 jumpers to Tokyo and your boy sits a mean 35. (When you account for a max of 3 from any country and injured athletes).”
“I’m proud of myself though. I gave it ABSOLUTELY everything to make it to Tokyo. If I’ being honest I worked harder for this than any of my other 3 Olympic appearances,” continued Smith.
“I jumped further than I have since 2018, while getting my MBA in Austin training at a high school without a runway long enough for me to practice my approach on and without a coach,” continued Smith.
Smith went on to say, “Out there by myself making it happen, so I gave it everything, I had some of the biggest jumps of my life over the last 6 weeks, they were just fouls (lol). Most importantly I had so much fun doing it.”
Smith concluded, “Thanks to Bryan Schiding, Dwight Phillips, Jeremy Fischer, Bashir Ramzy, Paul Doyle, Sandi Lynn ad everyone who helped me find my jump and remember who I am this season. So now we wait and see the final list of accepted entries. Either way, I’ve already won.”
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