MTSU professor, coach in London for Olympics - WSMV Channel 4

MTSU professor, coach in London for Olympics

The Olympics are in full swing, but it's been a big transition for one professor from Middle Tennessee State University. 

Dr. Andrew Owusu used to be an Olympic triple jumper for Ghana and is now an Olympic coach.  And it's all to help young athletes from his home county gear up for the games.

This is his fourth time at the games.  His first time was as an athlete at the '96 games in Atlanta, then again in 2000 in Australia and finally in 2004 in Athens.  However, he missed the opening ceremonies for games in Greece.

"My PHD graduation at MTSU was a day before opening ceremony in 2004," said Dr. Owusu. "So I decided to stay. You get a PHD once in life, I'd been to two Olympics, I decided to stay and go through graduation."

Now Owusu is graduating to the role of coach.

"It's a slightly different perspective," commented Dr. Owusu. "As an athlete, you worry about how things are going to go for you. As a coach, you not only worry about that, but also admit things to take care of."

For the past month, Owusu has been in his home country of Ghana, using his own experience as a framework for those who are following his lead.

"Think of person as a race car," said Dr. Owusu. "They operate at limits. So any small thing can make a big difference in terms of performance or work against athlete being at their best."

Owusu said getting there isn't just about skill. It's a lifelong commitment.

"Often its not the ones with the most talents that make it. It's the ones with, I would say, a strong drive and dedication to event or sport. Also being a student to your sport."

He is a student turned teacher helping others with their dreams of Olympic gold.

Track competitions for Owusu's team begin on Aug. 3.

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