Sanya was candid about her illustrious career. , Photo credit: Sudhakar Jain
Heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Sanya Richards-Ross was the favorite to claim the women’s 400 m gold.
Sanya was one of the world’s best, racking up times under the 50-second mark. A few years ago, Sanya had completed a World Cup race in 48.70 seconds, a new record for the United States. Incidentally, this mark holds good to this day.
Wound
Sanya had finished sixth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and had her sights set on claiming the top prize in Beijing. But Sanya’s world was turned upside down when she found out she was pregnant just weeks before the mega event in the Chinese capital. Sanya decides to have an abortion – a painful decision.
In an interview given to Bleacher Report, Sanya said that she went to Beijing only a day after the abortion. Mentally and physically exhausted, Sanya won a bronze medal in the 400m race. She won gold for the United States 4x400m relay team with a spectacular anchor run. However, the individual 400m race was Sanya’s ultimate goal.
The Jamaican-born athlete, who was in Bengaluru as the TCS World 10K Bengaluru International event ambassador, talked about navigating through the intensely difficult experience.
“It was such a difficult experience, especially because my coach and my father didn’t know I was pregnant. Only my mother, sister and now husband (former NFL player Aaron Ross) knew. It took me a long time to talk about it because it was such a difficult personal situation.
spiritual crisis
A devout Christian, Sanya also struggled with a spiritual crisis. “Everything I face was a moral and spiritual battle. I didn’t feel like I deserved to be an Olympic champion. It was a big blow to my mental health, more than physical. All this in the 400m individual final. Showed.
“I am very careful with my words because I want to give credit to (gold medalist) Christine Ohuruogu. She ran a great race, but I was not at my best,” said Sanya.
When Sanya started working with a sports psychologist a year after Beijing, she took a giant leap towards finding peace of mind. “When I was competing, there was no focus on the mental state of the athlete. People just assumed that since you are an athlete, you are strong and you know how to manage your mental and physical health. How to do.
psychological help
“After my defeat in Beijing, my coach suggested that I meet a sports psychologist. No one had presented that idea to me before. It was a great idea that undoubtedly changed my life and sports career. Performing well in a track event at the Olympics is 90% mental, so why not work with a mental coach to be at your best.”
With the help of a sports psychologist, friends and family, Sanya changed her path. She entered the 2012 London Olympics as the favorite in the 400m and this time, she dared to chase her dream. Sanya beat a tough field that included defending champion Christine and 2011 world champion Amantale Mntsho.
She then helped the United States finish on top in the 4×400 m relay, adding to her two gold medals in London. With this, Sanya won three consecutive 4×400 meter relay gold medals.
“The individual 400m win in London meant the world to me, because missing out on the gold in Beijing was a very tough shot. I wanted to be an individual champion all my life,” said Sanya.
The 4x400m relay victory in Beijing also ranks high on his list of achievements. “In London, it was almost a victory lap because I received the baton well ahead of others. In Beijing I came from behind when the Russian team was ahead. To be recognized as the reason my team won gold It felt good. It was a special feeling.
modern day icons
Sanya named 2019 World Championship men’s 200m winner Noah Lyles, 400m hurdles women’s world record holder Sydney McLaughlin, 2020 Tokyo Olympics 800m women’s champion Athing Mu and American women’s sprinter Sha’kari Richardson as the best modern-day track athletes. designated.
On Sha’kari, who was ruled out of the 100m event in Tokyo after testing positive for cannabis, Sanya said, “Her talent is undeniable, but can she balance everything that is happening off the track? I am rooting for her.” I’m rooting for her, and hope she does great.