Who Is Tara Davis? Team USA Olympic Long-Jumper in Cowboy Hat

U.S. long jumper Tara Davis certainly stood out from the other athletes at this year's Olympic Games in Tokyo, donning a cowboy hat and boots during her entrance to the long jump women's final on Tuesday.

Germany's Malaika Mihambo won gold, with a 7.0 meter (22 feet and 11 3/5 inches) jump, followed by USA's Brittney Reese, the seven-time world champion, with 6.97 meters (22 feet and 10 2/5 inches). Nigeria's Ese Brume won bronze.

In what was her first Olympics, Davis came sixth in the final, jumping 6.84 meters (22 feet and 5 1/3 inches).

In the preliminaries on Monday, Davis had jumped 6.85 meters (22 feet, 5 1/2 inches).

Tara Davis Birthplace

She was born on the May 20, 1999, in Agoura Hills, California. She attended Agoura High School and later the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied Physical Culture & Sports, according to the Team USA website.

Tara Davis Height

Davis is 5 foot 4, according to the Team USA website.

Tara Davis Family

Davis is the youngest daughter of Ty and Rayshon Davis. The athlete has four older siblings and her great-grandfather was a middleweight boxer. Ty coached his daughter from four years old until she went to college. He joined Davis in Tokyo, despite crowds being kept at a minimum due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Tara Davis Boyfriend

Davis's partner is Paralympic runner Hunter Woodhall. He will be running in the 100-meter and 400-meter dashes at the Tokyo Paralympics Woodhall, 22, is a two-time Paralympic medalist. The pair have been together since high school, according to Elle.

Woodhall was born with fibular hemimelia and both of his legs were amputated shortly before his first birthday. After getting prosthetic legs, Woodhall began competed in track and field and later won a track scholarship to the University of Arkansas, before going on to win his Paralympic medals.

Tara Davis Record

2020 was Davis's first Olympic games, but her other career highlights include being the reigning NCAA indoor and outdoor long jump champion. She was also the first woman in UT's history to clear 22 feet in the long jump.

Tara Davis Mental Health

The Los Angeles Times reported on Monday that after high school, when Davis accepted a sports scholarship in Georgia, she soon became homesick. She suffered anxiety, depression, panic attacks, as well as suicidal thoughts, after experiencing multiple injuries and emotional challenges from her parents' divorce. The injuries led her to not be able to compete for nearly two years.

Much of this took place against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, so she sought therapy. Through that as well as through support of her family and Woodhall and pets, her mental health improved.