“If you’re in track and field for money, you’re in the wrong sport.” 2024 Olympic Long Jump gold medalist, Tara Davis-Woodhall, made it quite clear that she is not in it for the paycheck. While this stands true in the spirit of the sport, they also highlight a growing conversation around the sport’s financial realities. Take Tara’s own journey. Early in her career, strict NCAA rules prevented both her and her husband, Hunter Woodhall, from accepting brand deals. But after her Olympic feat, things have definitely changed. Hear about it in her own words…

To put it simply, cometh the gold, cometh the sponsors! In April 2025, she signed with Nike, calling it, “Nike is more than a sponsor: it’s a partner in creating change for women in sport.” She’s also joined Athlos as a co‑owner and advisor alongside elite athletes like Sha’Carri Richardson and Gabby Thomas, playing a leadership role in a women-first, athlete‑focused startup designed to bring higher prize money. Let’s hear from her now, how have things been for her?

At the 2025 Prefontaine Classic Press Conference on July 4, 2025, Tara Davis Woodhall said, “Booming. I mean, business is booming, I’m booming, it’s been incredible. I feel so blessed to be in the positions I’m in and being able to put track and field on the map, especially long jump.” Now, Tara is a social media sensation alongside her husband. The couple takes their very own camera crew to the meets they participate in to bring exclusive content of their races to their social media handles. This has contributed a lot to popularizing the long jump as a sport.

Her 7.10 m Olympic gold in Paris, followed by a cowboy hat celebration, has only benefited it more. She continued, “I feel us ladies in our sport are working so hard to just be in the spotlight for any moment. And yeah, it’s awesome.” There are many women in the Long Jump today who are working hard to create a name for themselves and the sport. Ireland’s Elizabeth Ndudi (6.68 m PB, 2024 national record holder) is breaking barriers in European competitions. Britain’s Funminiyi Olajide jumped 6.67 m indoors in February and is now part of the GB team for World Indoors 2025.

Tara is also a big advocate of women in sports. She once said, “Women’s sports deserve the same visibility, coverage, and opportunities as men’s,” highlighting that the playing field isn’t equal—not in earnings, not in media attention, and certainly not in the opportunities granted. But she wants to push the women; she wants to raise the bar for them.

Tara Davis-Woodhall wants to raise the bar

In the same press conference, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist also revealed that she wants to see how far a woman can jump in the long jump. She was asked how far she could. She answered, “Eight meters. I’m just kidding. If you put your boots on and worn your hat. I’m just kidding. Everyone literally just pooped their pants for a second. No, I don’t know. Hopefully, you know, the world record and eventually one day.” Tara owns a 7.18 m indoor personal best and a 7.16 m outdoor best. In contrast, the longstanding women’s world record is 7.52 m, set by Galina Chistyakova on June 11, 1988.

She also said, “And I feel like technology is coming, and technology is behind in long jump. And I want to be the person to change the sport for long jump along with the help of these women who have jumped seven meters.” Tara is a big fan of tech. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, she said, “I feel like long jump is lacking in technology, where it’s all developed in sprints, and then same for Hunter’s blades. There’s not as much innovation as there needs to be as time is changing.”

Notable women who’ve also cleared 7 meters include Larissa Iapichino (7.06 m) and Jasmine Moore (7.03 m), alongside many others. Tara Davis-Woodhall believes, “seven meters is going to become the new norm. And I feel like it’s fair to say that we should all be jumping over seven meters with the speed that we bring, the power that we all have. Yeah.” What are your thoughts on this statement by her? Do let us know in the comments.