Posted: February 5, 2005

Athletics: Olympic silver medalist Moffitt, world indoor gold medalist Stringfellow headed for Fayetteville

USA Track & Field has announced that two of America’s top medal threats for the 2005 World Outdoor Championships, Olympic silver medalist John Moffitt and 2004 world indoor gold medalist Savante Stringfellow will compete in the long jump on Friday, February 11, at the third stop on USATF’s Visa Championship Series, the Powered by Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Ark.

The 2004 NCAA indoor and outdoor long jump champion, Moffitt stunned the world at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. After placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Moffitt found himself in medal contention in Athens. In the fifth round, the 21-year-old unleashed a personal-best jump of 8.47m/27-9.50 to secure the first U.S. silver medal in the event since 1992. Nicknamed “Big Time” while at LSU “because he does it when it counts,” Moffitt was the first LSU Tiger to sweep the NCAA indoor and outdoor long jump titles.

Stringfellow has been one of the key figures in the return of the United States as the world’s dominant long jump power. As just a 21-year-old in 2000, he made his first Olympic team but did not qualify for final. But the experience and exposure that the four-time NCAA champion gained paid of in 2001, when he won the silver medal at the World Outdoor Championships. 2002 was an even bigger year. After winning his second USA outdoor crown, Stringfellow went on to win the long jump at numerous international competition and the World Cup, and he finished the year ranked #1 in the world. He won the Tyson Invitational in 2003, but the birth of his first child in June of that year (happily) caused him to split his attention. Still, he enjoyed a successful year where he was #5 in the world. 2004 got off to a roaring start, with Stringfellow winning the U.S. and world indoor gold medals and looking poised for the Olympic medal stand. An Achilles injury suffered in May ended an Olympic year in which he had set his sights on the gold medal, but “String” is back and ready for more success in 2005.

For full athlete bios of Moffitt and Stringfellow, visit USATF.org.