Half the enjoyment for Olympic pole vaulters and hammer throwers is in the journey to get there with their equipment.

In Saint-Denis, France, DeAnna Price, a top American hammer thrower, shared her experience dealing with airport security while traveling with her 8.8-pound hammer. In a memorable incident in Beijing, Price’s hammer was drilled by Transportation Security Authority in search of contraband, resulting in damage worth $1,000. Despite the mishap, Price was reimbursed by the TSA, highlighting the challenges faced by athletes transporting their specialized equipment for Olympic track and field events.

Pole vaulter Sam Kendricks recounted a nerve-wracking situation in Croatia where his poles initially went missing, only to be rushed to him just in time for him to compete and win the event. Kendricks emphasized the stress of managing equipment transportation, describing the uncertainties and hurdles faced by athletes like himself in ensuring the safe arrival of their gear at competitions.

Sandi Morris, an Olympic silver medalist in the pole vault, detailed the meticulous planning and precautions taken to transport her 17-foot-long poles, noting the challenges of dealing with airline staff unfamiliar with handling such specialized equipment. Morris highlighted the need for adaptability and preparedness in handling unexpected situations during travel, such as facing inexperienced airline personnel.

U.S. Olympic trials champion and hammer thrower Daniel Haugh shared a humorous encounter in Turkey where he had to show authorities videos of his sport to clarify the contents of his travel case. Athletes like shot putter Payton Otterdahl and discus thrower Joseph Brown discussed the intricacies of traveling with their equipment, highlighting the precautions taken to secure their specialized gear during flights.

The unique challenges of transporting javelins, discs, and other equipment for field events were underscored by athletes like Curtis Thompson and Harrison Williams, who recounted instances of damaged or lost gear during travel. The camaraderie and shared experiences among field athletes were emphasized as they navigate the often overlooked struggles of managing their equipment logistics amidst the competitive world of track and field.