American pole vault record holder, Sandi Morris has inspired the new young athletes who are looking forward to succeed in the future and perhaps follow her footsteps.
Speaking during the interview in a video posted by Wanda Diamond League on YouTube, Sandi delivered a masterclass, powerful message
“If you feel – if you know- you’re ready, you’re ready.”
It wasn’t just a motivational line. For Morris, those words came from experience and risk. At the Rome Diamond League meet, the Olympic silver medalist made a series of technical adjustments. She moved her approach back, switching to longer poles, and increasing her grip height, all in a single competition. The changes could have gone wrong. Instead, they clicked.
“It was like a shot in the dark,” she admitted. “But I had this feeling I was ready, and I just went for it.”
That leap of faith earned her a season-best 4.80 meters and her first Diamond League victory since 2022. But the impact of the performance went beyond the scoreboard. For young athletes watching, it was a lesson in knowing when to trust yourself ,even when the decision feels risky.
Sandi Morris pointed to signs in training that suggested she was ready for a bigger grip and a longer pole. One of the key factors was timing the perfect jump. But in the end, it came down to confidence, not waiting for perfect conditions, but creating them.
“Sometimes you’re just flying through the smaller poles, and your timing tells you it’s time. Even if it hasn’t been tested a hundred times in training, you know.”
New Chapter
This season, Morris is also adjusting off the runway. She’s working with a new coach, Brooke Raznik at the University of Louisville, and training alongside Gabriela Leon , who tied for second in Rome.
“It was really awesome to share that moment with my new training partner,” Morris said. “We’re out here trying new things, and just going for it.”
