One sunny Saturday morning, Arkansas long jumper Wayne Pinnock witnessed one of his greatest moments as an athlete: As he warmed up for training, a future track star caught up to him, running alongside him with blazing speed for her age.
"Her tiny legs pumped enthusiastically as she tried to keep up, her laughter echoing across the track," Pinnock recalled.
This track star was Pinnock's 3-year-old daughter, Zaharah. Dressed in crocs and a romper, Zaharah ran alongside her father. Dad could not have been happier.
"This brings a big smile to my face to see how excited she was. If I am not wrong, she might become a track athlete herself, too," said Pinnock, 23.
Fatherhood: "I want to show her that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible," Pinnock said of his daughter, Zaharah. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Pinnock)
Being a father has shaped Pinnock's perspective on life and his track career. He said Zaharah's sweet perspective on life grounds him when the pressures of jumping become overwhelming.
"Her unwavering support and belief in me give me the strength to push myself harder, to strive for excellence and to never give up," he said. "When I'm jumping, knowing that she is enthusiastic and calling out my name fuels my determination like nothing else."
Zaharah has been her father's greatest teacher, helping Pinnock understand patience and the importance of taking time away from the track to enjoy simple moments together.
"Her impact goes beyond just emotional support. She's also my motivation to be the best role model I can be. I want to show her that with dedication and perseverance, anything is possible," Pinnock said. "She's taught me the true meaning of unconditional love and has enriched every aspect of my life, making me a better person both as an athlete and as her parent."
Pinnock approaches life with a profound sense of love. In addition to his daughter, family means everything to him. Pinnock, who hails from Kingston, Jamaica, said his family lifts him up in tough times while always celebrating him during joyful moments.
"They are my closest friends, my confidants, and the ones who understand me best. In essence, my family is the foundation of my happiness, growth and sense of belonging in this world."
Pinnock's mother has passed away, solidifying the importance of family in his life.
"My family shapes my identity and values, teaching me important life lessons and guiding me toward becoming the person I aspire to be," he added.
At Arkansas, Pinnock has formed another family, led by coach Travis Geopfert.
"A good coach can change a game, a great coach can change a life," Pinnock wrote in an Instagram post. "I just want to give hail to the greatest coach in the history of track and field, you have changed my whole life.
He added, "However you're not only a coach but also show love, care, joy, laughter and appreciation towards all your athletes."
The abundance of love in Pinnock's life has allowed him to thrive on the track.
Pinnock came to the United States on a track scholarship at Tennessee. His freshman year, Pinnock won the long jump at both the NCAA indoor and outdoor national championships. After his season at Tennessee, he transferred to Arkansas, where he earned five-time NCAA first-team All-America honors and another NCAA title.
Now, he is competing in his first Olympics, repping his Jamaica proudly as he prepares to dominate in the long jump.
Yet whatever happens on the track, Pinnock knows one thing to be certain: Win or lose, he will have his biggest cheerleader in the crowd, loving him unconditionally, shouting, "Go, Dad, go!"
Pinnock will be going for gold in Paris. (Photo by Christian Petersen / Getty Images)
