Jamaican long jumper Carey McLeod has proved that adaptability is as vital as raw talent especially when you’re flying solo in fierce competition.
Speaking during a press conference ahead of the Rome  Diamond League 2025, McLeod revealed he had to compete without his coach present. In an event as technical as the long jump, that’s no small hurdle. But instead of panicking, the 27-year-old made a bold, unconventional move, he handed his phone to a stranger.
“I saw this guy in the crowd and I just gave him my phone,” McLeod said. “I didn’t have my coach with me, and being in a technical event, you gotta know a lot of stuff. I just needed someone to record my jumps so I could figure things out myself.”
With the fan recording his every leap, McLeod used the footage between jumps to assess his form, pinpoint technical flaws, and make crucial in-the-moment adjustments. It was coaching on the fly by the athlete himself.
“Over the years, I’ve become a student of the event,” he added. “I’ve gathered enough knowledge to make decisions in the moment. So I figured if someone records me, I can review it and adjust on the spot.”
The unorthodox approach paid off. McLeod recently soared to 8.33m (1.6) to claim victory at the Adidas Atlanta City Games, beating Italy’s Mattia Furlani (8.28m) . Guyana’s Emmanuel Archibald, who set a new national record at 8.22m.
Long jumpers often rely heavily on real-time feedback from their coaches. The coaches provide insight into takeoff angles, landing positions, and runway rhythm. In the absence of that expert eye, McLeod leaned into his experience and a stranger’s smartphone to keep himself in the game.
“I think that’s what separates me from a lot of people,” he said. “Being able to assess and adapt quickly when things don’t go as planned—that’s something I’ve worked hard to master.”
As Carey McLeod gears up for the Rome Diamond League, he’ll face stiff competition. The men’s long jump field is stacked with elite talent. This include Olympic Champion Miltiadis Tentoglou, Italy’s teenage sensation Furlani. American veteran Marquis Dendy, and Switzerland’s Simon Ehammer will also line up.
