58-year-old grandma Michelle Rohl race walks her way to podium at U.S. Olympic Trials
When Michelle Rohl’s three-month-old grandson learns to speak, his first words might very well be, "My grandma is cooler than yours."
On 29 June, 58-year-old grandmother Michelle Rohl captured the hearts of fans at the historic Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, by securing a bronze medal in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials - Track & Field for race walking. Rohl, the oldest competitor at this year’s trials, finished the 12.4-mile race in an hour and 42 minutes.
Rohl has a rich history in athletics, having previously represented the United States in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, and Sydney 2000, where she competed in various events, including the 10,000 and 20,000 meters race walking. Rohl finished 20th, 14th, and 17th, respectively. Although she did not medal at those Olympics, her persistence and passion for the sport have kept her in peak form.
Rohl retired from competition in 2004 to homeschool her children. But she never stopped walking. Now, one grandson, five children, and 24 years later, Rohl stands on the podium once again.
"My first Olympic trials in '92, I was third, and I had a baby then. Now I've got a grandbaby and I'm third again. I thought that was kind of cool," Rohl told Olympics.com.
Although Rohl did not meet the Olympic standard for Paris 2024, the four-time US champion embodied a powerful message: your career is over when you say it's over.
Husband Michael Rohl: “I’ve never known anyone who is as mentally tough as her."
Michelle Rohl's first grandchild, Peter, was born in March. One month later, she set a world record at Penn Relays in the 3000m and 5000m race walk for her age group.
Along with juggling motherhood and grandmotherhood, Rohl trains daily, clocking a total of 45 miles per week at an 8-minute-per-mile pace. She has overcome several injuries in recent years, including a concussion in 2023 from a racing accident and splitting her chin a few weeks ago.
Reflecting on her return to competitive racing, Rohl shared with Olympics.com: “A few years ago, I took time off when I had five kids and was homeschooling. I wasn't competing, but I saw my coach and told him I wish I could train for the 800 again. He wrote me a workout schedule, and by July, I was at Masters Nationals, and I won. You just have to decide to train seriously again and get out there every day.”
The race at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, was a true testament to this mentality. And as she crossed the finish line, the crowd erupted in applause, celebrating her outstanding career.
"I've never known anyone who is as mentally tough as her," said Rohl's husband Michael. “She likes to run, she likes to compete, and it’s a lifestyle for both of us. It makes her happy, and I’m just happy to be along for the ride.”
Next up for this super grandma will be the World Masters Athletics Championships from August 13-25 in Sweden.