Athletes Who Inspire: 3-time Olympian Gabor Mate uses experience to train, help other athletes

MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — Athletes are getting ready for the Olympic games in Paris — it is something that takes a lot of preparation.

One coach who is helping athletes get to the Olympics knows that all too well. That coach is Gabor Mate.

He knows it through his experience as a three-time Olympian, five-time all-American, and national championship winner.

“What I would like to get the outside world to understand is the tremendous amount of hours going into preparing one skill and that’s it. I guarantee you the same thing in swimming, in tennis, in golf. I use the word ‘sameness is greatness’. If you can create the same proper movement over and over again, you can be great.”

Although it has been more than a decade since he has competed in discus, Mate has not swayed far from the sport having begun his coaching career in 2008.

Mate runs a local track club called the Bay Area Bombers that trains athletes in discus, hammer, javelin, and shot put. It is something he says enables him to fulfill his passion for helping other athletes.

“I was always passionate about teaching and helping others, and it was coming naturally to me to try to help every aspiring young athlete in this. The Mobile involves the county area. Then we spread out and people came from Baton Rouge and Birmingham. It’s a good wide range. I was able to attract to Mobile.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.