This is a great piece on Katie Moon by one of our favorite athletes, Deji Ogeyingbo. Katie Moon was one of our most popular athletes of 2023 and 2024. Deji Ogeyingbo has been writing articles for the past few months about American athletes.
Kathy Moon. The steady hand of USA pole vaulting
Since her Olympic gold medal in Tokyo 2020, Katie Moon has become synonymous with winning when it matters most. at the Paris Olympics.
His success is not just about headlines and records, but also about his ability to perform under pressure. Moon’s consistency at the top of his game has earned him a reputation as one of track and field’s most reliable athletes. The year-old player could have easily dropped out of the Paris 2024 Olympics, however, instead he stepped up and secured it once again podium position.
“I woke up not so good, just a headache, and my nervous system felt a little flat,” Moon said after the competition. “But I just tried to stay focused. This is the Olympics.”
That level of determination is what defined her career. Despite the physical challenges and pressure of being a defending Olympic gold medalist, Moon’s ability to stay in shape when it mattered most was on full display. Moon settled for silver in a competition that saw her good friend Nina Kennedy Gold was claimed with a stunning vault of 4.90m, but she was nothing but proud of her performance.
“Once I was here, I was just praying that my body would hold up because I felt like I could jump up and do something great again,” he said. “And I’m so, so happy, that it happened.”
His approach to these Olympics was a stark contrast to the pressure he faced in the past.After back-to-back gold medals at the 2022 and 2023 World Championships, Moon was now considered the athlete to beat. An injury-marred season meant many counted him out, which, in Moon’s case, may have been just what he needed.Feeling underdogs again, he took the pressure off himself that helped him perform on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
While his body may have been at its peak, Moon’s mental strength was just as important. He knew anything could happen in Paris. But that didn’t make Moon’s silver any less valuable to rise to the occasion regardless of the challenges.
“I’m so relieved and happy with how it went,” Moon said, reflecting on his journey. I had an Achilles injury for most of it and I’m just relieved to be back in the team.”
His continued success is not only due to his drive, but also to the relationships he has built along the way.The bond between Moon and Kennedy is one of mutual respect, and their shared success at the 2023 World Championships, when they decided to share the gold medal, only deepened it. their bond.” Kennedy’s gold was hard earned in Paris, but Moon, the athlete, was quick to praise.
“Nina is such a good competitor,” he said. “She came in and she’s almost the age I was when I really figured it out, and it’s fun to watch it happen in real time for someone else.”
That kind of athleticism, coupled with his consistency, has made Moon a figure to be admired, not just in pole vaulting, but in track and field in general. it’s about showing up year after year, regardless of the circumstances.
As Moon looks to the future, competing in the 2028 Olympics remains tempting. But at age 33, he is realistic about the challenge of another Olympic round, he said it’s year after year.”
Whether Paris was her last Olympics or not, Moon’s legacy as one of the most reliable athletes to ever represent the United States is steadfast.
