Vashtī Cunningham ready to represent Las Vegas at the Olympics

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Vegas native and three-time Olympian Vashtī Cunningham had tears in her eyes as she thought back to the start of her professional high jump career at Bishop Gorman High School.

“I was really emotional during practice,” Cunningham said. “So far, I’ve won. I just lost my first U.S. championship since 2016 and I was laughing because I couldn’t believe I’d won so many times so far. I still have so much to do.”

Cunningham was just 18 when she became the youngest American track and field athlete to make the team since 1980.

“I really didn’t know when I was a freshman, sophomore and junior what I was getting into,” Cunningham said.

Today, the 26-year-old world-renowned high jumper will be a member of Team USA for the third time. While proud of her accomplishments over the past eight years, Cunningham heads to the 2024 Paris Olympics with hopes of winning gold and breaking the American record for women’s high jump, set in 1987.

“It would mean a lot to me,” Cunningham said. “I remember everyone expecting me to win the Olympics when I was 18 … it would be a huge confidence booster because it’s hard when people expect something from you and you don’t do it. You start to wonder if you’re any good or if you’ve just done well for a while, so it would mean a lot to me.”

Helping him reach new heights early on is NFL and UNLV star Randall Cunningham, quarterback, head coach and father.

“I learned a lot from my dad: how to handle losses, how to handle victories, how to stay spiritually grounded in everything and also, how to be kind to myself,” Cunningham said.

VIDEO: Vashtī Cunningham Talks to Me About Her Workout Routine

Vashtī Cunningham Talks About Her Workout Routine

Cunningham learned how to be graceful through a few experiments: adjusting her workout routine and walking the runway at Paris Fashion Week 2018.

“I was a lot more nervous at that point,” Cunningham said. “I remember standing with all the girls in our seats before we went out and my knees were shaking so much.”

As she prepares to make her return to Paris, this time as a member of Team USA, the Nevadan will always be grateful for the local support throughout her career.

“I think being in Vegas has had more of an impact on my career than a lot of other factors,” Cunningham said. “Everyone I grew up with here cheers me on, prays for me and encourages me. I can honestly say that when I’m out there, across the country, I really feel the energy and love from home and that’s something that’s kept me going.”

Regardless of the outcome, Cunningham’s main goal is to impact others and advise young people to have confidence in the process.

“There will always be people who tell you that you can’t do something or they just don’t believe in you and that nothing is impossible with God,” Cunningham said. “The things that disappoint us are ultimately about what we desire, but when you do things with your heart and mind in the right place, when the outcome isn’t what you want, you feel such peace knowing that God’s plan is bigger than yours.”

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games begin on Friday, July 26.