Michelle Carter (athlete)
Personal information | |
---|---|
Full name | Michelle Denee Carter |
Nationality | American |
Born | San Jose, California, United States | October 12, 1985
Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)[1] |
Weight | 260 lb (118 kg)[2] |
Sport | |
Country | United States |
Sport | Athletics |
Event | Shot put |
College team | Texas Longhorns |
Turned pro | 2007 |
Coached by | Michael Carter |
Retired | 2022 |
Medal record |
Michelle Denee Carter (born October 12, 1985) is an American
Career
Carter won the 2016 gold medal at the Rio Olympics on the last of her six throws, edging two-time defending champion
She finished fifteenth at the 2008 Olympic Games and fourth at the 2012 Olympic Games.[5]
A bronze medalist at the 2015 and 2017 IAAF World Championships, Carter also won the gold medal at the 2016 World Indoor Championships after winning the bronze in 2012.
She won the silver medal at the 2001 World Youth Championships and the gold medal at the 2004 World Junior Championships.
In addition to winning the
Carter is a graduate of Red Oak High School in Red Oak, Texas, where she was a four-time state champion in the shot put.
Personal life
Carter's father,
Carter is a Christian. Carter has said, "Through faith and sports, I've learned discipline and self-control. In the Bible, God tells us we have to work, even if what we want is not going to happen right away. People want a platform, but with that comes responsibility. Before winning the gold medal, I needed to be in a mature place to handle the opportunities that were going to come my way, to make sure I didn't use them for my advantage. You have to put your pride aside and let God's plan come through. He has given me this platform for Him to shine." She has also said "I know God allowed me to have this medal, and with it I want to glorify Him and point others to Him."[7]
Carter received a track scholarship at the University of Texas. She graduated in 2007 with a degree in youth and communities studies, and a minor in kinesiology.
Carter is a certified professional make-up artist. She was inducted into the Texas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2018.
Carter has focused on body image both on and off the field, talking to young women about confidence through her program You Throw Girl. "You have to understand everyone's body was built to do something. I was built to do something, and that's how I was built. I think the world is realizing we were promoting one body type and there have always been many."[8]
Michelle Carter announced her retirement from professional sports on her podcast in January 2023.[9]
References
- ^ United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the originalon September 5, 2015. Retrieved 16 August 2016.
- ^ "Shot Diva: Meet Michelle". shotdiva.com.
- ^ "Michelle Carter wins gold for U.S. in women's shot put". Chicago Tribune. Rio de Janeiro. Associated Press. August 12, 2016. Retrieved August 13, 2016.
- ^ Rubinroit, Seth. "Michelle Carter wins women's shot put gold medal". NBCOlympics.com. Retrieved 2016-08-12.
- ^ "Shot Put Women: The XXX Olympic Games". IAAF. International Association of Athletics Federations. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ^ "USA Outdoor Track & Field Champions: Women's Shot Put". USA Track & Field. USA Track & Field, Inc. 2001–2012. Archived from the original on June 20, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2016.
- ^ "Golden Opportunity". FCA Magazine. July 2, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ Mary Pilon (August 11, 2016). "You Throw, Girl: An Olympic Shot-Putter's Feminist Mission". Retrieved May 29, 2020.
- ^ The Podium Life Podcast - Ep.1- Do It Anyway - with Michelle Carter The Shot Diva