The Summer Olympics are in the books but Matt Ludwig’s tale to Tokyo might be the never-ending story.
The Lake Catholic graduate and national champion pole vaulter from the University of Akron had a whirlwind of an experience as an Olympian.
It began July 28, when his manager called him with the news fellow U.S. pole vaulter Sam Kendricks bowed out of the Olympics with COVID-19. As the first alternate after a fourth-place finish at the U.S. Olympic Trials, Ludwig was suddenly an Olympian.
From that moment, it was a mad dash to clear COVID-19 protocols and get to the airport and on a plane with a final destination of Tokyo. He departed from Cleveland Hopkins Airport on July 29 on what he described “a severe call to action.”
Ludwig, a native of Chardon, found a way, and even though he did not advance to the final of the pole vault, he has one heck of a story to tell over and over again.
“A life-changing experience,” Ludwig told The News-Herald. “Only positive things — good things — came from this experience.”
It came with a price. Upon returning from Tokyo early last week, Ludwig finally rewarded himself something everyone needs eventually.
“The next day after I got back, I slept 15 hours,” he said.
For good reason. Consider his time in Tokyo:
• He landed in Tokyo on July 30 at 4 p.m. Tokyo time. The next six hours were spent finalizing paper work, and getting outfitted for his Olympic uniform. He arrived at his hotel at 10 p.m.
“Got a shower, a snack and went to bed,” said Ludwig.
• The next morning, he was awake by 4 a.m. Ready or not, it was time for the qualifying round. Ludwig did not have time for a practice round.
“I stepped into the stadium, and then it was about getting on the runway. Then you think, ‘This is the moment. This is the dream,’ ” said Ludwig. “Everything prior that, I had really no time to think about pole vaulting.”
• After clearing his opening two heights, Ludwig missed on all three of his attempts at 5.65 meters (18 1/2 feet) and bowed out of the competition. Ludwig easily cleared his first attempts at 5.30 meters (17.38 feet) and 5.50 meters (18 feet), but then ran into difficulty at his third height.
Making matters worse during his attempts at 18.5 was the fact he battled cramps in both calves, but that wasn’t what did him in.
“Just a little too short, too shallow,” said Ludwig.
• The next day, Ludwig took in the sights of the Olympics Village, and by 5 p.m. Monday (Tokyo time) he was on flight returning to the United States.
Considering the factors that led him to Tokyo, Ludwig isn’t hanging his head. Instead, it only has him excited about the future and contending for the 2024 Summer Games.
“My confidence-level is an all-time high,” said Ludwig. “To be able to compete against the best in the world at the Olympics and darn well almost did it, it makes you feel very good about the future.”
Up next for Ludwig is a six-week tour of Europe, where he will compete in several events. He leaves Aug. 12, and might be most excited for the International Golden Roof Challenge in Innsbruck, Austria, in early September. There, competitors from across the world in the pole vault and long jump perform in a blocked off area of Innsbruck’s Old Town.
“The entire downtown area is flooded with people,” said Ludwig. “They make it a big party.”
While on his six-week journey through Europe, Ludwig could benefit from his time in Tokyo, where his followers on social media doubled and his phone was flooded with messages from well-wishers.
“Every few minutes, my phone was going off with notifications,” said Ludwig. “I think my stock has risen in the last week or two. When you carry the title of ‘Olympian,” that’s marketable.”
