“There were going to be tears, good or bad.” Well, the tears turned out to be good as Team USA carved out another historic moment! Olivia Reeves, the 21-year-old weightlifting sensation, brought home the gold in the 71kg women’s category at the Paris Olympics, ending a 24-year drought for the United States. Not only did Reeves win the gold medal, but she also set an Olympic record with a 117kg lift in her debut Olympics!

Reeves’ coach, Mike Gattone, who also serves as Team USA’s coach, exuded confidence about bringing home the gold after thoroughly researching her competitors. His investigation revealed that no standout weightlifters from China or North Korea were in her category, and the rest fell short of matching her impressive lifting capabilities. “I did a lot of research on everybody else,” Gattone said, “and I’m like ‘My goodness, we ought to win this thing.”

Indeed, Reeves lived up to every expectation with a performance that dazzled and delighted, leaving no room for disappointment. “It’s hard not to when everybody tells you that,” Reeves reflected, “…and is like ‘Gold is yours.’ I was like, ‘I haven’t done anything yet. I’ve still got to compete.”

Well, Gattone was correct in saying that Reeves appeared out of nowhere, but it will take some time for her to succeed on the lifting platform. As he said in an interview earlier “Olivia has been a special lifter from the beginning, but no one could have predicted all this would happen.”  Well, Reeves’ disciplined approach to training and lifestyle is precisely what has set her apart from the start.

Steve Fauer has been Reeves’ weightlifting coach since the beginning. He remarks, “She’s always made the right decisions.” As Fauer explained, Reeves’ dedication to her diet and her early bedtime of 9 p.m., even if her buddies might stay up until 10 or 11 p.m., are qualities that are highly encouraging for a full-time strength athlete.

Well, the hard work paid well! As the “Star-Spangled Banner” played and the U.S. national anthem swelled in the background, with the gold medal gleaming around her neck, Olivia Reeves experienced a moment of unparalleled triumph and pride. But, her journey is far from over, even after this triumphant victory! What new horizons does she aspire to explore? Let’s uncover what lies ahead for her.

“that’s why I still love the sport” – Future plans of Olivia Reeves

Born on April 19, 2003, in Lexington, Kentucky, Olivia Reeves could hardly have imagined herself standing on the Olympic stage, let alone claiming the top spot. Introduced to weightlifting early, thanks to her parents, who owned a gym, Reeves found her passion as early as elementary school.

Reflecting on her journey, she said, “When I started doing this, the goal was to just get as strong as I can. That’s what’s fun for me is seeing how much weight I can put on the bar and training every day and getting better.” Her personal coach, Steve Fauer, who guided her after her move to Chattanooga and through his weightlifting seminars, has been a crucial force in helping her achieve this remarkable goal.

As Olivia Reeves embarks on her undergraduate journey at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, her passion for weightlifting remains undiminished. Balancing 18 credit hours with rigorous training, she is prepared to juggle both her academic and athletic pursuits.

“I don’t think the goal has ever changed and that’s why I still love the sport. It’s never been about numbers and medals,” she reflects.

As we eagerly anticipate the unfolding of her athletic journey, one thing is certain: Olivia Reeves has the potential to rise as a distinguished weightlifter from the U.S. With her unyielding spirit and relentless drive, she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, promising a future rich with remarkable achievements!