Team Edwards congratulates Janay DeLoach and family for her big win in the Women’s Long Jump competition at the 2012 London Olympics.
She placed first in the qualification Aug. 7 with a jump of 6.81 meters and was awarded the bronze medal Aug. 8 for her jump of 6.89 meters.
She is the daughter of Team Edwards members Dede and William DeLoach and grew up in the Air Force family.
For 18 years, Janay traveled from Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., where she was born, to Hill AFB, Utah; Eielson AFB, Ala.; until she eventually arrived at Edwards AFB before going off to college at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo.
Although Janay was only at Edwards for a short time, she worked in the commissary to save money for college. As she transitioned into life as a college student, her father retired from the Air Force as a chief master sergeant.
Both parents were in London, cheering for their daughter and celebrating her remarkable achievement.
“I am blessed with the way things turned out, honored to serve my country proud, and amazed at the support flowing in by the second,” said DeLoach.
In addition to Janay’s bronze medal win, her U.S. teammate Brittney Reese won the gold medal for her jump of 7.12 meters.
To learn more about Janay’s journey to the Olympics and her ties to the Air Force and Edwards community, look for her story in the Aug. 2, 2012, edition of the Desert Wings and at www.edwards.af.mil/news/story.asp.
