Erik Kynard, Jr., is not done.
Three months after competing at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, the two-time U.S. Olympic team member and Toledo native said he’s nowhere near retiring as a high jump competitor after winning a silver medal at the 2012 London Games and placing a disappointing sixth in Rio.
“I’ll be back,” said Kynard, who is only 25 years old. “I’m not retiring in any form, shape or fashion. I probably won’t retire for another eight years.”
After winning a silver medal in London competing in his first Olympics, Kynard went into Rio as a serious contender to win gold. He earned his placement after clearing 2.33 meters (7 feet, 7.75 inches), the same height he cleared in London.
The result admittedly wasn’t what Kynard hoped for. Each time out he wants to finish in first place. After collecting silver his first time out, he wanted gold in Brazil.
Yet, it didn’t happen for him.
“It’s just like competing in any other sport,” Kynard said. “In basketball, someone could score 31 points one night and the next day score only 10 points. It’s kind of something you just deal with.”
Time allows for healing, introspection, and self-analysis.
Kynard thinks he’s had plenty of time to compartmentalize his second Olympic experience, as well as his career as one of the best high jumpers on the planet.
“I don’t think I’ve done the best that I think I’m capable of doing,” he said.
Kynard took a couple months off from training after returning from Rio in late August. But the 6-foot-5, 188-pounder didn’t return to his home in Manhattan, Kan., plop down in a recliner, and spend all day watching Netflix.
He found things to keep him occupied.
He traveled with some friends for an 11-day vacation to Thailand. He also spent some time in Los Angeles and a few days home in Toledo visiting family and friends.
Kynard recently was named an assistant track and field coach at Kansas State, where he’ll work for Cliff Rovelto, who recruited him to that school and has remained his coach since becoming a professional.
It’s a chance to share what he’s learned and knows about track and field to younger athletes coming through the Wildcats program. He was a two-time NCAA outdoor champion (2011, ’12) and three-time Big 12 champion (2013 outdoor; 2012 and ’13 indoor).
“It was an opportunity that presented itself,” he said of joining Kansas State’s coaching staff. “For me, coaching is essentially teaching and it’s something I’ve always been interested in.”
Kynard admits becoming a full-time collegiate coach is a significant change from roughly the past four years where he’s spent much of his focus on training and competing as a high jumper.
Recognized as USA’s top high jumper and one of the best in the world, Kynard said taking on coaching responsibilities will require more attention to time management.
However, he expects to be able to balance his time as a coach while continuing to train and compete.
He’s not retiring from one career, but actually taking on an additional career.
“It’s little to no effect on me. I was a college athlete once, so I already know something about this schedule,” Kynard said.
He has worked into his busy schedule a trip to Toledo to be the guest speaker at a Books 4 Buddies fundraiser Nov. 16 at the main campus of Toledo Lucas County Public Library on 325 Michigan St. Books 4 Buddies and the event, which will be in the McMaster Center at 6, are focused on encouraging reading among boys and young men.
“Statistics show males read less compared to females,” said Kynard, who studied business and earned his undergraduate degree from Kansas State in 2013.
“I think [reading is] extremely important as far as personal progress is concerned.
“It’s also extremely important for us as people to make sure we’re engaged in learning outside of the regular classroom.”
As for Kynard, class is in session.
Contact Donald Emmons at: demmons@theblade.com, 419-724-6302 or on Twitter @DemmonsBlade.
First Published November 14, 2016, 5:15 a.m.
