“Athletes Are Very Hard on Themselves”: Preparing for the Upcoming Paris Olympics, 28-Year-Old Track and Field Athlete Talks About the Accompanying Pressure

Embodied with the unmatched support of her Nigerian parents, Keturah Orji’s journey has been nothing short of a spectacle both on and off the tracks. From her humble beginnings as a collegiate athlete at the University of Georgia to her current stature as a professional high jump athlete, Orji has been consistently emerging as a force that needs to be reckoned with. 

“Georgia is really the foundation of where I became who I am today…I mean, that’s where I broke the American record.” says the 10 National Championship title winner. As she gears up for the highly anticipated 2024 Paris Olympics, Keturah Orji has recently made it to the spotlight not only for her remarkable achievement but also for her recent candid interview.

A champion’s impact beyond tracks – the Keturah Orji way

In a recent candid interview with 11Alive, Keturah Orji, a pride hailing from Atlanta, offers a compelling glimpse into her journey towards the 2024 Paris Olympics. Within a few hours after uploading the video with the caption, “A University of Georgia alum and their most successful athlete, Orji, an Olympic track athlete, is no stranger to success.” went viral.

In the same interview, Keturah tried to send a message to every sports lover in support of her fellow athletes. She said, “Athletes are so much more than their sports. Sometimes we watch an athlete, and you’re rooting them on, and you’re upset they’re not doing well…just be empathetic towards athletes.”

Not only this, but she also shared her valuable experience as an athlete. She added, “Athletes are very hard on themselves; we don’t really need anyone on us to encourage us or motivate us to do better. If you’re upset with the way you did, imagine how you feel about the way you did. So yeah, it’s definitely a hard mental battle, and sports is something that you can’t turn off.” With these words, Orji moved forward with her interview. Next, she poured light on her upcoming challenges and goals.

Keturah Orji’s goal in Paris this year

With two Olympic appearances, along with an American record under her belt, Keturah Orji stands on the edge of creating history as she gears up for the Upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite her past achievements, including representing the USA in 2016 and 2020, Orji has yet to step onto the podium. 

Read More: Didn’t Change”: Noah Lyles Spills Verdict on 60M Race Against Rival Christian Coleman

Now, Orji harbours a single goal, which is to become the first American Woman to clinch a medal in the high jump event so that she can end her career on the ultimate high note. She mentions, “Retire on a high note…Podium is always the goal. It’s very difficult.“ As the 2024 Paris Olympics only have a few days to go, all eyes are turned to Orji. Now the question is: Will Keturah claim her rightful place among Olympians? The stage is already set, the stakes high, and the world is waiting for an answer. 

 Also Read: 7 Months After No Update From AIU, 19-Year-Old Track Champion’s Hope Once Again Gets Crushed