VANCOUVER – Former UBC Thunderbirds javelin thrower and football player Curtis Moss (Burnaby, BC) had one reaction after his place on the 2012 Canadian Olympic Team was confirmed. He cried.
“I was crying for about two days straight because I had gone through so much and dedicated myself for so long for this one goal and it finally came to fruition,” recalls Moss. “My family was there to see it and they all were crying and so was my girlfriend so it was a very emotional and proud moment for all of us.”
Those tears of joy came after Moss won the men's javelin event at the Canadian Track and Field Trials in Calgary, Alberta on June 29. His best throw came in at 77.83 metres.
His victory marked a major milestone on a long, winding journey to becoming an Olympian.
As a child, Moss actually dreamed of being a professional baseball player. Football, too, was in his blood as his father, Leroy, was a former CFL player who had a stint with the BC Lions and his uncle, Eddie, played in the NFL. His father's cousin, Randy is an NFL star.
But in grade 10, Moss joined the track and field team at Burnaby Central Secondary School, a decision that would alter his life.
At Central, he met up with legendary coach Don Steen, whose son Dave won a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.
The elder Steen guided Moss to a provincial high school title in the javelin.
“When I was working with Don, the Olympic dream was born and I have worked hard and had that as my main focus,” says Moss.
He then went to Southeastern Louisiana University, an NCAA Division I school but left after the coach there went to another institution.
Moss came back home and enrolled at UBC, playing the receiver position for the Thunderbirds football team in 2008 before joining the track and field roster in 2009.
He competed for two seasons, winning the NAIA outdoor men's javelin championship in 2010. Moss also participated in the decathlon and ran on the 4x100-metre relay team that made the NAIA finals.
“I switched from football to track full-time because I saw more of a future and the lure of making the Olympics was much more appealing to me,” says Moss. “The transition was difficult because I loved football and being around all of the guys on the team but long-term I saw myself being a better track and field athlete than a football player.”
But his time with the Thunderbirds football team has been a source of inspiration.
“The competitiveness in football, trying everyday in practice to win a spot to play has been a very motivating lesson for me in track and field,” says Moss. “Working hard everyday like someone is trying to take my job has made me push myselffurther and harder and I am very thankful to my teammates in football for making that message stick in my head.”
Moss left school two years ago to concentrate on his track career, specifically making the 2012 Olympics in London. A year and a half ago, he teamed up with Steen again.
But Moss says the biggest hurdles over the last two years have been financial.
“I knew I had the talent and the right coach to get there but having enough money to not have to work so I could train properly like all of my competitors was hard,” says Moss, who will be one of four former Thunderbirds competing in track and field in London. “I worked and trained for a year and then had fundraisers to raise money to make this possible. My community of Burnaby really showed a lot of support for me and made my goals feel important so I am doing just as much for my community and country as much as I am doing it for myself, my family and my coach.”
Moss is amazed at how people in his hometown have helped him reach his dreams. The city has given him access to Swangard Stadium. Local businesses like Gold's Gym, Performax Burnaby and Mark Kroeger Physiotherapy, have helped with his training and recovery needs.
“They have all attended meets in and out of town and cheered me on even through warm-ups,” says Moss of his supporters. “It has been a surreal ride thus far and I feel like it is just starting and my local fans and friends have been tremendous in aiding my development, especially this year.”
A fundraiser at the Marine Pub brought in enough money for Moss to take part in elite events overseas, something he previously couldn't do.
Leading up to the Canadian trials, he won a meet in Puerto Rico, came second at a high-level event in Germany and also competed in Morocco in addition to the National Track League stops here in Canada.
All that has helped him get to London. It will be his first visit to the city.
Moss will arrive on Friday, July 27 but will not be attending the Opening Ceremony on the advice of Athletics Canada.
Still, he'll have lots of supporters in the stands when the men's javelin throw competition begins on August 8 with the qualification round.
“My mom Jeannie and my dad Leroy will be there as well as my girlfriend Jacqueline Muscat and my brothers Ryan and Prentice,” saysMoss. “My coach Don Steen will also be there to watch and help me compete. I will also have my godmother Eldeen Milobar, Don's partner Courtney Knight and my girlfriend's neighbours Rob, Liana, Shannon and Amanda Coyle will be in attendance for the qualification rounds.”
Moss' goal is to make the javelin finals, which will take place on August 11 at Olympic Stadium.
“I plan to leave it all on the track and compete with no restraint and no regrets,” says Moss. “I would love to finish in top six and have a new personal best in the finals. I am excited at my potential for these Olympics.”
Moss hopes that when he's done throwing in London, there will be more tears of joy.
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