Olympian Brittney Reese spreads some holiday joy

Christmas is the time of year that our thoughts turn to giving, especially to friends and family, but giving is a way of life for Olympic and world champion long jumper Brittney Reese.
 
Reese, one of the most decorated athletes in Team USATF history with seven indoor and outdoor World Championships gold medals and a gold from the 2012 Olympic Games in London, has made her mark on the world stage in arenas from Europe to Asia and South America. But it is at home where Reese is firmly rooted.
 
This Christmas is one of the most difficult in living memory with a global pandemic and national and international tension. These problems haven't stopped Reese from wanting to help, though, and she has a very special person in mind.
 
The 11-year-old daughter of Stephanie Hall, a longtime friend of Reese in Mississippi, was severely burned in an incident at a relative's home and has endured physical and mental pain as a result of her injuries. Reese has a goal of helping Hall and her family with bills and Christmas gifts, but she will need a helping hand from the track and field family she has been such an important part of for many years.
 
Reese said, "The reason I chose Stephanie is because I grew up with her and recently found out about her daughter's incident. Stephanie is a mother of eight, so I can't imagine how much pain she is enduring while trying to stay strong for her kids. I want to take some of that stress off of her so Stephanie and her kids can enjoy Christmas."
 
The family has set up a GoFundMe page and Reese has also arranged for a gift collection process at 1731 44th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501.
 
A collegiate star at the University of Mississippi, where she was the 2008 NCAA indoor and outdoor champion in the long jump, Reese has made a habit of giving back, including holiday food giveaways and scholarships to deserving students, as well as free training camps.
 
"What drives me to help my community is knowing that I am making a difference in someone's life," Reese said. "I have been blessed throughout my life and I feel that I should be a blessing to others. My favorite way to help is by giving my time to the youth. They are the future and I want them to grow up to be proud of where they came from just like I am."
 
Reese credits her mother and her grandparents for emphasizing the value of helping others whenever possible. "They instilled in me the importance of giving back when you are fortunate," Reese said. 
 
It has been 13 years since Reese first donned the red, white and blue for Team USATF at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, Japan, and her time on the professional circuit has shaped her in a major way. "Being able to travel all over the world is something I would have never thought I would have the opportunity to do at a young age," Reese said. "As an adult it has shaped me to be a better athlete, approach life with a grateful attitude, and also to not complain or whine about certain things in my life because it could be worse."
 
Looking forward, Reese said, "Covid-19 hasn't really affected me directly except for training purposes. Knowing that the Olympics were postponed allowed me to focus on my mentality and the small things I feel are needed in order to win another Olympic gold medal. I have been coping well with all the changes and it's great to be able to train at the Chula Vista Elite Training Center in California, as they take good care of us while making sure everyone is safe."
 
"What lies ahead for me athletically leading up to Tokyo '21 and Eugene '22? Winning more championships," Reese said. "I am excited to get that opportunity to represent Team USA and hopefully I can end my career on a high note."