Christian Taylor

NCAA, World Champion and now Olympic Gold Medalist, hailing from the University of Florida.

Born in Fayetteville, GA, Taylor was a standout track and field athlete – setting state high school records in the long jump, triple jump and 400m, and winning a plethora of World Youth Championships. Taylor went on to attend the University of Florida, where he racked up both indoor and outdoor National Championship titles in 2010 and 2011, and a 2011 World Championship. He continues to showcase his infectious smile and personality throughout the world of track and field, and is often seen preluding his jumps with the infamous gator chomp!

A clutch performer in the men’s triple jump, Christian Taylor scratched his first two jumps at the London Olympic Games before delivering in dramatic fashion and eventually winning the gold medal with world leading jump of 17.81m.

In three years competing for the University of Florida, Christian Taylor was a 10-time NCAA All-American. But his career went to a new level when he won the 2011 World Outdoor title in Daegu, South Korea, with the third best American performance of all-time. At age 21, he was the youngest jumper in the final. Within his 10 All-American honors they include, three NCAA Championships (2010 outdoor triple jump; 2009 and 2010 indoor triple jump). Taylor has also won a total of eight SEC championships in the long jump, triple jump and 4x400m relay. His high school career was just as impressive. Competing for Sandy Creek High School, Taylor is the Georgia state record holder in the long jump (25-6), triple jump (52-0) and 400m (47.19).

He was also selected the 2008 Gatorade Athlete of the Year for the state of Georgia. Taylor chose to forgo his last year of collegiate eligibility and sign with Li-Ning, a Chinese athletic company. He is coached by 2011 Nike Coach of the Year Rana Reider.