Roderick Townsend’s path to becoming an Olympic track star is a testament to the power of belief and perseverance. Born with permanent nerve damage in his right arm due to complications at birth, he has faced challenges that most can only imagine. However, instead of letting his disability define him, he has used it as fuel to propel himself to greatness.
Unlike many athletes who start their journey from a young age, Townsend discovered his passion for track and field during his freshman year of college. Initially a football player, Townsend had never considered track and field until his college track coach persistently encouraged him to join the team.
“I always just shrugged it off,” Townsend shares.
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It wasn't until a disappointing loss in a football bowl game that Townsend decided to give track and field a try.
“I just wanted to get my mind off of football altogether. So I came out to the track,” Townsend adds.
He vividly remembers the moment when his track coach expressed belief in his potential, telling him, "I think you can really be great at this." It was the first time anyone had ever told him he could be great at something, and that encouragement was all he needed to pursue track and field wholeheartedly.
Since then, Townsend has never looked back, crediting much of his success to the support of his family, especially his mother, who has overcome health challenges of her own.
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Townsend has witnessed multiple family members deal with the challenges of chronic weight management, but it hit close to home when he saw his mom’s battle. "My mom throughout my life has been a symbol of fitness and perseverance," Townsend shares of his mom, who began struggling with chronic weight management when he was in high school.
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“The first time I remember working out, I was doing sit-ups next to her while she was doing her crunches with her feet under the sofa. So I figured I'd tag along as well. So she's just always been a symbol of perseverance in all aspects of her life, which I truly continue to value,” he adds.
Townsend carries the sacrifices made by his family with him every time he competes.
“I understand that anytime I compete, anytime I'm wearing this uniform, anytime I'm on top of the podium, it's not just me there,” the record-breaking high jumper shares. “It's my mom, it's my wife, it's everybody who was able to sacrifice to get me here.”
As Townsend prepares for the 2024 Paralympics, his training regimen remains rigorous and consistent. He is also gearing up for the World Championships, a major competition in Japan.
“Personally, it's really just a matter of just staying consistent with everything, staying consistent with the diet, and staying consistent with the training,” the Paralympics gold medalist shares.
Towsend’s mental health also remains strong, thanks to his unwavering faith in his training and preparation.
As a husband and father, Towsend recognizes the importance of balance. His wife, Tynita Butts-Townsend, also an Olympic athlete, understands the demands of his training schedule and supports him wholeheartedly.
Townsend and Tynita welcomed their son later than planned, but Towsend is grateful for the flexibility provided by his wife's support. She is not competing in this year’s Olympics, which allows him to concentrate on his training.
“We're fortunate that we have an amazing, amazing baby. He loves to smile, he loves to talk, He loves to be outside. So I try to have him as at as many training sessions as possible as well, getting him some sunshine. I think that it was much tougher the first few months. But we're definitely hitting our stride with our consistency and our scheduling right now. And I think that that's just allowed things to be a lot more fluid,” Townsend shares adding that whether or not his son chooses to pursue athletics like his parents, his ultimate wish is for his son to achieve greatness.
“We want him to know who he is and to be proud of that. I want him to be able to love himself and understand that we're going to support him in anything and everything that he decides to do,” he adds.
When Townsend isn’t on the track, he is a proud advocate. He recently partnered with Eli Lilly and Company, the health equity sponsor for Team USA. The company shares his commitment to improving the lives of people living with diabetes and chronic weight management issues. Through this partnership, he hopes to raise awareness about these health issues and promote health equity, especially for marginalized communities.
“They've done something remarkable…I just couldn't be any more humbled and excited to be able to work with a company who truly understands what it means to be in that type of position,” Townsend adds. “I think that the main takeaway should be to not accept the odds and to understand that in reality we all have challenges and only you can know your challenge. I think that it does nothing but great things for the sport.”
during day four of the Para Athletics World Championships Paris 2023 at Stade Charlety on July 11, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Townsend believes that making healthcare more equitable and accessible is crucial, particularly for communities that often face misinformation and lack of resources. By sharing his story and advocating for change, he hopes to inspire others to take charge of their health and pursue their dreams, no matter the odds.
“I've always been the type of person who's been able to be inspired by people's hard work and people's perseverance and I just truly hope people can see themselves in me because that's the most important thing, he shares. “I want people to be able to see what I have as, attainable. And I just really want people to be able to understand that they don't have to accept their odds either and that it's just truly a matter of understanding what you want and and just making your best efforts to be able to make that your reality."
Looking ahead, Townsend has ambitious goals for the future. After he retires from competitive athletics in 2028, he hopes to remain involved in Paralympic sports, possibly in an administrative role. He wants to continue contributing to the growth of Paralympic track and field, inspiring future generations of athletes to pursue their dreams.
“I like people to understand that it's not always going to be easy and you're going to want to quit. If you don't feel like quitting, then you're probably not working hard enough. And that goes for things that you love as well. There are going to be times of doubt. There are going to be moments where you wonder, ‘Is this really worth it?’ And that's completely normal. We'll hear a lot of people saying, ‘Oh, well, the day that I realized I needed to quit was the day I realized I didn't love it.’ And that's not the truth. There are days when I don't want to practice. There are days when I don't want to do this, but I appreciate those days because it just gives me an opportunity to go the extra mile,” Townsend concludes.
