John Tillman
IF I KNEW THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW... 1992 Olympian, Triple Jump First, let me acknowledge that I am grateful for the 13 years of triumphs and trials I experienced while competing in track and field. When I first stepped on a track, I had no clue how far this sport could take me or how hard I would have to work to get there.
placed them above my bed so that every morning when I woke up, I would be reminded of my goal. That season at the NCAA National Championships, I jumped 55 feet 7 inches, and finished second behind 3-time Olympian Michael Conley. I was ecstatic!
By my senior year at the University of Tennessee I had competed in nearly every state in the union, and dozens of countries thereafter, on a quest to find out just how good I could become. For me it was a deeply personal quest; one that had little to do with fame and even less to do with money. I had a burning desire to answer a simple question: what is my potential?
Now, for what I would have done differently - I was too patient. Triple jumpers can compete at a high level well into their 30’s. Willie Banks set a world record when he was around 30 years of age. I thought I had plenty of time. I took for granted that I would be competing in this sport I loved well for many years, so I could set my biggest goals later.
Over the years, I won conference, states, and nationals; I made an Olympic team. But there was one goal I hesitated to set. If I had known then what I know now, things might have been different. I have learned that it is important to be crystal clear about what you want. As a sophomore at UT, my goal was to jump 55 feet in the triple jump. To my mind that was the magic number; a dividing line that separated good jumpers from great ones. Besides that, it would make me the school record holder and get my picture on the “wall of fame,” where national champions, All-Americans and school record-setters hung out.
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I cut two large 5’s out of pizza boxes and
But, life happens; injuries, employment, family responsibilities. Unless you are a professional athlete or independently wealthy, track is but for a season. In my heart I felt that I could become the best triple jumper on the planet. But I never committed to it. Sure I became an Olympian; however, I never decided and clearly stated that “I will be the best triple jumper on the planet.” I planned to get to it, but life got to me first. These days I’m busy with new goals. I look back on my athletic career fondly. I feel fortunate to have found something that brought me so much joy. Old rivals have become lasting friends. But, if I could do it all over again, I’d get me some pizza boxes and cut out “Best Triple Jumper on The Planet,” and tape it over my bed.
John Tillman is a triple jumper who competed at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. John was a six time All American at the University of Tennessee. John is a track & field coach at Parkwood High School in Monroe, North Carolina. Personal Best: TJ – 17.13i (1989), 16.98o (1989).
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