Will Claye
Sport: Track and Field
Nation: United States of America
DOB: June 13, 1991
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Career Highlights: Claye will be one of the few American track and field athletes taking part in multiple individual events in London. After
finishing second in the long jump at the U.S. trials, he did the same six days later in the triple jump to qualify for both
events in London. "It’s a blessing," said the 21-year-old Claye, who seems to be quite the student of jumping history. "The
goal going to London is to get two gold medals, one in each jump. The last time that happened was in 1904." Myer Prinstein
did it for the United States that year in St. Louis, and Claye may just be the rising star who can repeat the feat. The triple
jump has been his better event in his young career, with a bronze medal at last year's outdoor world championships and a gold
from this year's indoor worlds. But he also made the finals in the long jump at both of those meets, finishing ninth and fourth,
respectively. Claye began his collegiate career at Oklahoma and won an NCAA title in the triple jump there before transferring
to Florida, where he was a teammate of another London-bound triple jumper, reigning outdoor world champion Christian Taylor.
Claye said he's had a lot of help becoming an Olympian, but "my mom is the most important," he said. "When I am having bad
thoughts get in my head, I call her and she gets me on the right track. She is like my psychiatrist."
Olympic History: None