Charles Austin facts for kids
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| Full name | Charles Allen Austin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | December 19, 1967 (age 57) Bay City, Texas, U.S. |
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| Height | 6 ft 0 in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 170 lb | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Charles Allen Austin (born December 19, 1967) is an American athlete. He is famous for winning the gold medal in the men's high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. He was honored by being added to the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012.
Charles Austin and Javier Sotomayor are the only two high jumpers to win gold medals in the Olympics, Outdoor World Championships, Indoor World Championships, and World Cup Championships. Charles also holds the highest combined average height for two major championships.
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Charles Austin's Amazing Career
Charles Austin coached himself throughout his 15-year professional career. Only seven people in high jump history have jumped higher than him. Standing 6 feet tall, he managed to jump an incredible 22 inches over his own height! This places him sixth all-time for this achievement.
Austin is an Olympic gold medalist and holds the current American and Olympic high jump records. He is also a two-time World Champion and a nine-time national high jump champion. From high school until the end of his career, Charles improved his jump height by almost a foot.
Early Life and High Jump Start
Charles was born in Bay City, Texas, and grew up in Van Vleck, Texas. He was the youngest of 10 children. When he was a senior in high school, he didn't have a way to pay for college. Some friends convinced him to try high jumping for the track team. On his very first try, he cleared six feet and made the team! He finished that year with a personal best jump of 6 feet, 11 inches.
College Success and First World Title
Austin's success helped him get an athletic scholarship to Southwest Texas University (now Texas State University). After a tough start, he became a top athlete in the NCAA. He broke school records and, in his senior year (1990), he won the NCAA Outdoor Championship. He was the number one college high jumper in the country.
In 1991, Austin earned a degree in business administration. Just five years after starting high jump in 1986, he became the American Record Holder with a jump of 2.40 meters (7 feet, 10 1/2 inches). He also won a gold medal at the 1991 World Championship. He was a strong contender for the 1992 Olympics.
Overcoming Injuries and Olympic Gold
When Charles arrived at the 1992 Olympic trials, there were worries about a knee injury. He decided to compete and made the U.S. team. However, his confidence was low, and he didn't perform well, finishing in eighth place.
His knee problems continued, leading to major surgery in July 1993. A large part of his patellar tendon had to be removed due to damage. Doctors told Austin his high jump career was likely over. But Charles was determined. He worked hard to heal his knee so he could compete again. He watched the 1993 World Championship from home, but his passion for the sport grew stronger. In 1994, he began his journey back to the top. Within a few years, he was strong again and performing at a high level.
When he returned to the Olympics in 1996, he was more determined and focused than ever. His gold-winning jump of 7 feet, 10 inches, set a new Olympic record. This record still stands today! He was inducted into the United States Hall of Fame in 2012.
Life After Athletics
After his amazing high jump career, Charles Austin became a successful businessman. He owns So High Sports and Fitness (SoHighSports.com), a company that helps athletes improve their performance and offers personal training. He opened his first studio in 2002 and a larger performance center in 2008, both in San Marcos, Texas. Charles also wrote a book called Head Games: Life's Greatest Challenge.
In 2014, Charles created and launched his own fitness equipment called the Total Body Board (TotalBodyBoard.com). It's a very useful piece of equipment for different kinds of workouts.
Charles also set a World Record for the Master's 45–50 age group with a jump of 6 feet, 8 3/4 inches (2.05 meters). This shows he's still got it!
Key Achievements
- 3-Time Olympian (1992, 1996, 2000)
- 1998 World Cup Champion
- 1997 Indoor World Championship High Jump Gold Medalist
- 1996 Olympic High Jump Gold Medalist
- 1991 Outdoor World Championship High Jump Gold Medalist
- 1990 NCAA Outdoor High Jump Champion
- 6-Time U. S. Outdoor Track & Field High Jump Champion (Consecutive)
- 3-Time U. S. Indoor Track & Field High Jump Champion
- Current American High Jump Record Holder: 7' 10 1/2" (Set in 1991)
- Current Olympic High Jump Record Holder: 7' 10" (Set in 1996)
- Competed over 2.30m (7' 6 1/2") 61 times!
- Team Captain for various World and Olympic Track & Field teams (2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997)
- Selected by the United States Olympic Committee to present President Clinton with a special Olympic plaque at the White House (1996)
- Inducted into the United States Track & Field Hall of Fame in 2012
- Inducted into the Texas Track and Field Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2017
