Emma Coburn at the U.S. Olympic Trials
Photo by: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Coburn Sets Expectations High For Tokyo
July 28, 2021 | Cross Country, Track and Field, Olympians
BOULDER – Emma Coburn and the 3,000-meter steeplechase just go hand-in-hand.
This past June she earned her third straight trip to the Olympic Games en route to winning her ninth U.S. title in the event. In Tokyo, she is one of the favorites to win gold.
The former University of Colorado runner turned professional after the 2013 outdoor track and field season. But she was no stranger to the professional world as she was already racing those individuals as a collegiate athlete, making her first Olympic team in 2012 where she was the youngest runner on the American team. She made the finals and placed eighth overall.
Coburn made the Olympic team again in 2016 and in Rio, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, earning a bronze with a then-American record of 9:07.63. The following year at the 2017 World Championship in London, Coburn became the first American won to win gold in the steeplechase. Her third medal was a silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.
We were able to catch up with Coburn after the U.S. Trials and asked her some questions about the Olympics, training and life in general.
Is your excitement and anticipation level the same as going to your previous two Olympics, or do you feel like a veteran?
I am just as excited as the other two, but each time has a different feeling and focus. In London, I was young and was thrilled to finish 8th and run a personal best. I walked in the Opening Ceremonies, experienced the Village, and really got to have the full Olympic moment. In Rio, I came in with the goal to win a medal. This focus was different, it was more like going to any other high-pressure race and less Olympic focus until after my race. Tokyo feels the same as Rio in the sense that I am going with the goal to win a medal and it is a laser focus on that, and that alone. This year also has all the drama with COVID and the press constantly talking about it and it's less special in a way because family can't be there. I am very excited to be racing!
If someone had told you before you made your first Olympic team that you would make at least three Olympic teams, what would you have said to them?
Being a 3x Olympian isn't something I ever expected, but it feels good! I made my first U.S. team 10 years ago, so I have been at it for a while, but I think I can keep going for several more years.
As a medalist in Rio and a world champion in 2017 (and a silver in 2019 at worlds), does this year come with added expectations?
I have high expectations for myself always. Since winning the bronze in Rio, I have gone into every championship with the goal to medal. That is the new standard and I hope to live up to it.
What are your goals for the games?
I want to be back on that podium!
You had an amazing race at Monaco and were on pace for a personal record and American record before you had a fall. What does that race mean to you knowing that you were close to the Diamond League record and so many other records and that you have that in you?
In the steeple, falls happen, especially in the later stages when we are fatigued. In Monaco, I just lost a little bit of focus on that last jump and it cost me. The race did prove though that I am fit and can run with the top in the world. I just have to finish better in Tokyo.
This year you go to the Olympics with Joe as your coach. Does that make this experience different or is it still business as usual?
Joe has been coaching me for almost 5 years, so at this point, it just feels like the norm. This is our third global championship with him as my coach so we have gone through this prep before and it feels good.
Your family has always been one to travel to support you. Will it be strange to not only not have them in the stands, but to not have any fans there due to the restrictions in Tokyo?
It will be strange to not have my family in the stands in Tokyo, I will certainly miss them as they were there in 2016, 2017 and 2019 but I have confidence in my preparation and abilities no matter what. Them being there is the cherry on top, but I'll be okay either way. I do look forward to seeing them once I am home though!
If you are able to do anything in Tokyo, what are you most looking forward to?
I know we won't be able to do anything so I kind of just have blinders on with the race. I'm only allowed at the Village, the competition stadium, and the practice track. Luckily, I have been to Tokyo before so was able to get some sightseeing in a few years ago :)
What is your favorite past Olympic memory not having to do with competition?
Spending time with my family on Copacabana Beach in Rio after my races was pretty special.
What is your favorite competition destination?
I love racing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, and also love racing in London in their Olympic Stadium.
When you found out the Olympics were getting pushed back one year, how did that affect your training, if any?
We changed our training slightly to more mileage and half marathon-style training and then once we were able to schedule a few domestic races, we were able to get back to normal training and more race-specific prep. We raced a few times and I was able to PR in the 1500m and 800m so we made the most of 2020!
Colorado has had a strong tradition in the collegiate ranks in the steeplechase. But every year the women's steeplechase has been in existence in the Olympics, the Buffs have had at least one current or former athlete in the event and twice there have been two. How do you feel to be part of such a strong tradition?
The Colorado Buffaloes know how to steeple! Coach Wetmore and Coach Burroughs really understand the event and know how to coach it starting at the college level. I am happy that I was able to gain so much experience in the event during my years as a Buff. It will be fun to see Val out there!
This past June she earned her third straight trip to the Olympic Games en route to winning her ninth U.S. title in the event. In Tokyo, she is one of the favorites to win gold.
The former University of Colorado runner turned professional after the 2013 outdoor track and field season. But she was no stranger to the professional world as she was already racing those individuals as a collegiate athlete, making her first Olympic team in 2012 where she was the youngest runner on the American team. She made the finals and placed eighth overall.
Coburn made the Olympic team again in 2016 and in Rio, she became the first American woman to win an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, earning a bronze with a then-American record of 9:07.63. The following year at the 2017 World Championship in London, Coburn became the first American won to win gold in the steeplechase. Her third medal was a silver at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.
We were able to catch up with Coburn after the U.S. Trials and asked her some questions about the Olympics, training and life in general.
Is your excitement and anticipation level the same as going to your previous two Olympics, or do you feel like a veteran?I am just as excited as the other two, but each time has a different feeling and focus. In London, I was young and was thrilled to finish 8th and run a personal best. I walked in the Opening Ceremonies, experienced the Village, and really got to have the full Olympic moment. In Rio, I came in with the goal to win a medal. This focus was different, it was more like going to any other high-pressure race and less Olympic focus until after my race. Tokyo feels the same as Rio in the sense that I am going with the goal to win a medal and it is a laser focus on that, and that alone. This year also has all the drama with COVID and the press constantly talking about it and it's less special in a way because family can't be there. I am very excited to be racing!
If someone had told you before you made your first Olympic team that you would make at least three Olympic teams, what would you have said to them?
Being a 3x Olympian isn't something I ever expected, but it feels good! I made my first U.S. team 10 years ago, so I have been at it for a while, but I think I can keep going for several more years.
As a medalist in Rio and a world champion in 2017 (and a silver in 2019 at worlds), does this year come with added expectations?
I have high expectations for myself always. Since winning the bronze in Rio, I have gone into every championship with the goal to medal. That is the new standard and I hope to live up to it.
What are your goals for the games?
I want to be back on that podium!
You had an amazing race at Monaco and were on pace for a personal record and American record before you had a fall. What does that race mean to you knowing that you were close to the Diamond League record and so many other records and that you have that in you?
In the steeple, falls happen, especially in the later stages when we are fatigued. In Monaco, I just lost a little bit of focus on that last jump and it cost me. The race did prove though that I am fit and can run with the top in the world. I just have to finish better in Tokyo.
This year you go to the Olympics with Joe as your coach. Does that make this experience different or is it still business as usual? Joe has been coaching me for almost 5 years, so at this point, it just feels like the norm. This is our third global championship with him as my coach so we have gone through this prep before and it feels good.
Your family has always been one to travel to support you. Will it be strange to not only not have them in the stands, but to not have any fans there due to the restrictions in Tokyo?
It will be strange to not have my family in the stands in Tokyo, I will certainly miss them as they were there in 2016, 2017 and 2019 but I have confidence in my preparation and abilities no matter what. Them being there is the cherry on top, but I'll be okay either way. I do look forward to seeing them once I am home though!
If you are able to do anything in Tokyo, what are you most looking forward to?
I know we won't be able to do anything so I kind of just have blinders on with the race. I'm only allowed at the Village, the competition stadium, and the practice track. Luckily, I have been to Tokyo before so was able to get some sightseeing in a few years ago :)
What is your favorite past Olympic memory not having to do with competition?
Spending time with my family on Copacabana Beach in Rio after my races was pretty special.
What is your favorite competition destination?
I love racing at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, and also love racing in London in their Olympic Stadium.
When you found out the Olympics were getting pushed back one year, how did that affect your training, if any?
We changed our training slightly to more mileage and half marathon-style training and then once we were able to schedule a few domestic races, we were able to get back to normal training and more race-specific prep. We raced a few times and I was able to PR in the 1500m and 800m so we made the most of 2020!
Colorado has had a strong tradition in the collegiate ranks in the steeplechase. But every year the women's steeplechase has been in existence in the Olympics, the Buffs have had at least one current or former athlete in the event and twice there have been two. How do you feel to be part of such a strong tradition?
The Colorado Buffaloes know how to steeple! Coach Wetmore and Coach Burroughs really understand the event and know how to coach it starting at the college level. I am happy that I was able to gain so much experience in the event during my years as a Buff. It will be fun to see Val out there!