(NOTE FROM THE SBJ STAFF – As 2025 approaches, the SBJ is featuring some of our favorite content from this year. This story originally ran July 29. More will follow before New Year’s Day. Enjoy!)
By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Shreveport-Bossier’s most accomplished Olympian didn’t watch Friday night’s Opening Ceremonies of the Paris Games.
But not by choice. “I was stuck in an airport all evening trying to get to Miami,” said Hollis Conway, who won a silver medal in the high jump in the 1988 Seoul Games and took bronze in Barcelona in 1992.
Heading to a family event, Conway did mark the occasion with a series of entertaining social media posts recorded earlier in his Lafayette home.
He donned some of his Team USA gear, and playfully flashed the medals, which he uses in public speaking appearances all around the country.
The Fair Park High School graduate was the top-ranked American high jumper for seven straight years (1988-94) and was No. 1 in the world in 1990-91. He joins Dwight Stones (1972, 1976) and John Thomas (1960, 1964) as the only Americans to win two Olympic high jump medals. Conway and Thomas are the only silver medalists among that royal trio – Stones has two bronze medals.
While he didn’t see the extravagant ceremonies from France, Conway couldn’t avoid the controversy over what many saw as a parody of the iconic “Last Supper” artwork by Leonardo Da Vinci. Conway’s Christian beliefs and athletic achievements have led him to extensive involvement in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for all of his adult life.
“I followed a lot of the comments that came out of that. I really hated that because it shouldn’t be about controversy, it should be about unity,” he said. “I didn’t see it, so I can’t speak intelligently on it, but I hated the confusion that came out of it.”
There is no confusion about how he regards his Olympic experiences, particularly the 1988 Games.
“The first time, I really didn’t have an understanding of what the Olympics meant, how hard it was to get there. It happened early in my competitive career. For me, my first Olympics in Seoul, I was like a little kid in a candy store. The pageantry, I did everything,” said Conway, 57.
“Throw out the mature, conservative approach of ‘I’ve got to be rested and ready for my competition.’ I did everything. I went everywhere, experienced every part of it, and it was soooo much fun.
“Being there with people from different countries, different uniforms, trading (national) pins, going to the different venues, exploring Seoul, things I’d never seen before. I took in the entire experience like a little kid – and I ended up getting second, so that was like a bonus for me. The whole experience, I had no idea what to expect, and I just enjoyed myself.”
Coming in as the gold medal favorite, and arriving in Barcelona a day after the first of his first child, 1992 was completely different.
“I found I didn’t enjoy it as much. It was more business-like. I finished third, which really frustrated me. The ’88 Games were a much better experience for me. The further I get away from it, I understand how blessed I was to go to two Olympic Games, to win two Olympic medals, to represent our country.”
He reflected on what the USA team and the thousands of other Olympians were feeling Friday night, despite being soaked in a rainstorm while boating down the River Seine in Paris.
“The great thing about the ceremonies is you have thousands of stories, from all around the world, what they had to overcome, their families’ sacrifice, what they’re representing, it’s incredible. That’s the great thing about the Olympics,” Conway said. “When I walked through that stadium (in the opening ceremony) and I had that red, white and blue on, people were chanting U-S-A and calling my name. It didn’t matter what color I was, didn’t matter what political party I favored, what was my religious affiliation – none of those things. I represented the United States. There’s not many times you get to experience that.”
The days that followed, particularly in the ’88 Games, were thrilling, he said.
“To meet people from other sports and disciplines, representing our country and others around the world, was fascinating. I learned about Olympic ping pong – which was incredible — taekwondo, synchronized swimming. People who would not ordinarily come together, and you recognize their skill, talent and ability. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors, just smiling, and you see that. It’s there for the world to celebrate and it’s an amazing experience.”
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com