Erik Kynard Jr. is the Associate Director of High-Performance Programs at USA Track & Field, a position he has held since March 2023. A two-time Olympian and 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the high jump, Kynard built an accomplished career as one of the world’s premier high jumpers before transitioning into coaching and sports leadership. He currently oversees cross-functional execution across high-performance events and manages operational relationships with 150 personal coaches, while ensuring national team compliance and athlete support. Kynard hosts and executive produces the USA Track and Field Journey to Gold Zone Podcast, featuring top Olympic talent and sports leaders leading guest research, topic development, and brand marketing moments.
Kynard competed in five World Athletics Championships and won bronze medals at the 2014 and 2016 World Indoor Championships. He was a four-time U.S. outdoor champion, five-time U.S. indoor champion, and 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials champion. At Kansas State University, he was a two-time NCAA outdoor high jump champion and six-time Big 12 champion, earning USTFCCCA Indoor and Outdoor All-American honors four times.
Following his competitive career, Kynard served as an assistant coach at Kansas State Athletics, where he helped guide the women’s team to back-to-back Big 12 Conference championships in 2017 and 2018. He also served on the USA Track & Field Board of Directors from 2019-2022 and was a sponsored athlete and corporate ambassador for Jordan Brand from 2013-2021.
Kynard earned a bachelor’s degree in business entrepreneurship from Kansas State University in 2013 and completed the Next Step: Transition to Business MBA program at Dartmouth’s Tuck School of Business in 2022 and The Impact Academy. He has also completed leadership and professional development programs through Morehouse College’s Ross Institute of Sports and ESSEC Business School.