"VAN" (Olympic Desk - Paris, France - 09.09.2024) :: It was a scene that the Stade de France had seen just a few weeks prior, but with the roles reversed. After receiving his gold medal for an electrifying performance in the men's 400m T62 final, American Para athlete Hunter Woodhall found his wife, Olympian Tara Davis-Woodhall, in the crowd to celebrate.
In early August, it was Hunter cheering on Tara, as she won Olympic women's long jump gold. They've since become known as the golden couple of Paris 2024, and sat down with the IPC to talk about their story as married gold medalists.
“Quite a few people have told us that we have made a really special moment in the Games,” said Hunter.
Their story began as 17 year olds at a track meet in Idaho. At the time, Hunter lived in Utah and Tara in California, but the two struck up a friendship when Tara introduced herself after one of Hunter’s events.
“I saw him and thought he was very cute,” Tara laughed. “And he was running the 400m actually, and I went up to the track and I gave him a hug and I said, ‘I don’t know why I have to do this, but I have to hug you’.”
“I had just run a 400 so I was little unsure where I was at the time, but I knew who Tara was and I just knew the girl was different, there was something special about her,” said Hunter.
“We kept in contact for so long, we were friends, and then before we went to college she gave me a chance. We started dating and the rest is history.”
Hunter made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, winning a silver medal in the men’s 200m T44 and bronze in the 400m. Both Hunter and Tara competed in Tokyo, approximately one year before they got married, with Hunter winning Paralympic bronze in the 400m T62. Coming into Paris 2024 however, he had his sights set on winning his first Paralympic title.
He faced tough competition in the 400m T62 final, including world record holder Johannes Floors of Germany, but Hunter crossed the finish line with a time of 46.36, ahead of Floors and bronze medallist Olivier Hendriks of the Netherlands.
“This is my third Paralympic Games and by far it was my favourite experience,” said Hunter.
Tara also faced top competition from Germany en route to winning gold, facing off against defending champion Malaika Mihambo in the Olympic women’s long jump final on 8 August. Her fourth jump of 7.10m secured her the gold, her first Olympic medal after finishing sixth in the event at Tokyo 2020.
While they often train in different ways for their different athletics events, Hunter and Tara do train together every single day, watching and filming each other's practices and supporting each other as both teammates and partners.
“To have a partner in the same sport, it means everything,” said Tara.
“We keep each other accountable,” added Hunter. "Some days when you don’t want to get up and do that workout or get in the gym, the other one can be that motivator. It makes those hard days go a lot easier.”
With the next Olympic and Paralympic Games headed to Los Angeles in 2028, the American track and field duo are excited to welcome the world to the United States and compete on home soil.
“I’m so excited to have a Games in the United States,” said Hunter.
“I’ve talked to so many Olympians from the past who’ve talked about Atlanta or LA, and how magical those Games were.
“Just having so many of our family and friends who might not be able to make it all the way overseas come and watch us in person, and going back to Tara’s hometown—we just can’t wait.”
Cr-PARALYMPICS
Responses
Leave your comment