The University of Mississippi Athletics
Stringfellow Begins Quest For Olympic Gold This Weekend
9/22/2000 | Track and Field
Sept. 22, 2000
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Ole Miss senior Savante Stringfellow begins his quest for Olympic gold Sunday, Sept. 24 when he competes in the qualifying round of the long jump at the 2000 Games. The qualifying round starts at 6:45 p.m. (CT) Sunday, which will be 10:45 a.m. Monday in Sydney. The long jump finals are scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 28 at 2:45 p.m. (CT)
"Everything is going well," said Stringfellow, a native of Jackson, Miss. "I have been here a little over a month, and my training is going well. I've had three preliminary meets before the Games, and I had some of my best jumps. I've been jumping well and training hard, and if I continue to do so, I will be in a good position to get a medal.
"I will never forget the Opening Ceremonies of the Games. It's a feeling I just can't explain. I am checking out all the events I can. I went to see the men's and women's basketball teams play, and (former Lady Rebel assistant basketball coach) Peggie Gillom told me to tell everyone at Ole Miss, `Hello.'
"(Ole Miss track and field head) Coach Walker and my parents are here with me. Coach has been extremely helpful, and I'm excited that he is here. My parents are also here to watch, and I am going to make this special for everyone who has been supporting me."
Earlier this month, Stringfellow placed first in the tune-up for the Olympic long jump competition, leaping to a mark of 27-0. The tune-up meet was held at Nudgee College in Brisbane, Australia.
Stringfellow, a former Provine High School standout, is the 2000 NCAA Outdoor long jump champion and is a three-time All-America. He also won the 2000 U.S. indoor long jump title and the 1999 Southeastern Conference outdoor long jump championship.
Last year, Stringfellow was a member of the U.S. track and field team that competed at the Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and the World Championships held in Seville, Spain.