Charles Austin’s career began as a high school athlete who fell short of qualifying for the Texas high school state championships. It finished with an Olympic gold medal, world championship and American record. Austin became as dominant as a high jumper can be in the latter part of the 1990s by winning six consecutive USATF Outdoor championships from 1995-2000. But his proudest moment came when he won the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games, the last time a member of Team USA has done so. His career was also one of longevity. When he won his last USATF Indoor championship in 2003, it was 12 years after his first world title and the year he set the American record (2.40m/7-10.5). Austin’s career also included World Indoor gold, a World Cup title, an Olympic record and a total of nine combined USA Indoor and Outdoor titles.