While there were many inspiring moments in the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, few could squeeze the heartstrings like that of the Woodhalls. With high emotions and a viral couple photo, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Hunter Woodhall made history on and off the track. Their journey celebrates not just medals, but their unwavering love and support for each other.

Tara Davis-Woodhall secured her first Olympic gold with a 7.10-meter jump in the women’s long jump event. After winning, she ran straight to the stands and leaped into Hunter’s arms, the viral photo that captured their emotional embrace. She shared, “He’s gone through it all with me. So just jumping into his arms, that was just a full relief of ‘wow, I finally achieved my goal.'” Thirty days later, Hunter Woodhall claimed his first Paralympic gold in the 400m T62 event.

During a recent sit-down with Noah Lyles and Rai Benjamin on the Beyond The Records podcast, Tara recalled the unforgettable moments shared during the Paris Games. She shared, “Anything that like had to do with my family and friends at the Olympics in Paris to watch us that was like the best moment ever.” For Tara, although the accomplishment was great, it was about sharing the victories with their loved ones.

The experience of being able to share this Olympic moment with Hunter was a contrast to the past. She spoke about the challenges they faced, “Yeah, it was a different feeling this time, and then I haven’t seen that many championships with him running because he would go to Tokyo; I couldn’t go to Tokyo to watch, yeah. Then we had to leave some other world championships.” The Paris Olympics marked a memorable moment for them to enjoy each other’s successes side by side.

The Paris Games were profound for Tara, as she finally witnessed Hunter’s performance live, not just through a screen. “So just like being able to watch him in a full stadium, yeah, like this is the biggest stage. I’ve only been able to watch it through TV this entire relationship, so watching him come off the third curve off the 300, oh my gosh, I knew immediately he was winning,” she said. From Tara’s Olympic gold to Hunter’s Paralympic win, the couple symbolized a shared journey of triumph and support.

The power of shared goals and support

The Woodhalls’ success is grounded in their similar goals and mutual understanding of the sport. “It simplifies everything,” Woodhall said in an interview with Olympics.com. “This sport is so demanding physically, mentally, emotionally, and I think if you’re not able to be in those shoes or understand how difficult it is, it can be extremely hard in our position. So I think having us both in the same sport, it just makes it so much easier and so much more fun.” He shared how he and his wife “do everything together,” including training. A big part of their success is the support they give to each other.

Their routines before the competition reflect the energy they bring to each other’s careers. Tara’s support before Hunter’s 400m final was electric. “We were playing music and just turning the place up. I think we just speak confidence into each other. We know how hard we’ve worked. We know we’re prepared, so it’s just telling each other, ‘You can do it. You got this’,” he added. The vibrant atmosphere motivated him and allowed him to succeed.

As a power couple in sports, the Woodhalls continue to inspire fans and athletes worldwide. Their bond goes beyond competition, as they uplift each other through both successes and struggles. How far will their shared strength and support take them in their careers and beyond?