Embracing the Journey: Reflections on Missing the Paris 2024 Olympic Volleyball Team

The Olympic motto “Citius, Altius, Fortius” – Swifter, Higher, Stronger – is not just for the elite few competing at the highest levels. 

 

It is for all of us seeking to become better versions of ourselves. On and off the court. 

 

Today, as I reflect on not making the men's volleyball team for Paris 2024, I feel a profound mix of emotions.

 

Yes, there's disappointment, but above all, there's pride and gratitude.

 

Photo: Michael Gomez

 

The Ever-Moving Goalpost

 

Not many thought I would even make it this far.

 

Just a few years ago I was ecstatic simply to be in the National Team Gym. 

 

It was a goal of mine since I was little to simply help the team!

 

Every summer from 2015-2021 I was in and out of the gym, and a part of various training groups and rosters. I made a bunch of sacrifices during those summers, worked really hard, seized every moment of competition, and executed when I got my chances. 

 

It was always where I wanted to be, the highest level of indoor volleyball I could be a part of. I also climbed the ranks and kept performing through many enjoyable but challenging and grueling seasons overseas. All to become the best I could be. 

 

I looked for little edges and advantages in every aspect of my game and my process. 

 

In 2022, I made my first roster trip, and start with the top team down in Brasilia, Brazil. It was magical as we secured a big comeback win in front of 10,000 fans to start the tournament 4-0. 

 

I embraced every moment of that summer all the way through a VNL Silver and the World Championships.

 

My childhood dream of becoming an Olympian became an even more vivid goal. I had written down Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 all the way back during my time competing at Princeton in 2014...Paris 2024 was within reach... 

 

The 2023 summer was another grind, and mostly behind the scenes, just hammering on my craft as I have done for years. We earned another VNL Silver and unfortunately I pushed myself into an injury down at the NORCECA Championships, and couldn’t be with the team through the rest of Olympic Qualification. 

 

After another series of titles in Berlin, this summer I was back competing. Just two matches into Week 1 of VNL in Antalya, Turkey, I had an unlucky landing on a teammate who was blocking and sprained my ankle. 

 

Already knowing that I had not made the Olympic roster, I found myself balancing my recovery with an urge to get back and contribute to the group. 

 

I was needed again in the Philippines, and had an incredible trip and experience. Even battling in the last match in front of a huge and passionate crowd, along with my dad in the stands. 

 

After the trip, it was determined that I couldn’t help the team anymore at that moment as they prepared for Paris. 

 

My body was also not being super cooperative, and so the priority for me quickly became rest, recovery, and preparing for the next challenges that lay ahead in my career.

 

Despite the disappointment of not being able to be with the team through the end, I have a great deal of peace of mind knowing that I gave it my all.

 

Helping the team was the goal.

 

And I certainly know I’ve done that over these years, and can do it again in the future. 

 

Looking Ahead to Belgium

 

Despite these setbacks, my journey is far from over. 

 

The journey ahead is filled with fantastic new opportunities and challenges. 

 

This next season, I will be joining Greenyard Maaseik in Belgium, a team with a rich history of excellence. I am excited to bring my experience and passion to this new chapter in my career. 

 

The margins in high level sport are so small. I’m excited to push for all of these big, and small gains together with my new team. 

 

 Photo: Cony Kurth

 

Gratitude

 

To my family, friends, teammates, coaches, fans and supporters of all kinds – thank you for your unwavering support.

 

You've celebrated my victories, and lifted me up during the tough times. It means more than you know. 

 

And just a quick note to some of the critics and keyboard warriors out there: to those “cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat…” Try putting that same energy you use to tear others down into building someone, something, anything else, up. 

 

Please join me in celebrating the amazing Olympians and Paralympians of Paris 2024, our amazing sport in all its formats, and Olympism as a whole these next weeks and beyond.

 

Celebrating My Teammates

 

I am incredibly proud of the men and women who will represent us in Paris. Their dedication, talent, and hard work are inspiring, and they are wonderful teammates, people, and friends.

 

As they step onto the court, I will be cheering them on with the same passion and enthusiasm as if I were right there beside them. 

 

They have all been through their own long, difficult, and incredible journeys, with years of back to back to back to back to back to back etc. seasons and endless trials and tribulations that never make it to print…Knowing first hand all the things they battle and how they shoulder it, I’m in awe of all of them. 

 

GO USA!!!!

 

Sharing My Experience

 

After this journey, I’ve also learned A TON. And I want to help the next generation to become the best they can be, to experience the best things this sport has to offer, and to avoid the mistakes and/or skills that may have limited me in the end. 

 

You can reach me for direct feedback through the Spiker Academy Forum as a member, and we are adding tools and resources for all players through our online academies, clinics, content and more.

 

We also are planning to release one new course each month for the rest of this year.

 

Check out The Spiker Academy to see our complete library of courses for outside hitters.

 

There’s only ONE team that will be Olympic Gold Medalists this year. 

 

Wherever you are, keep working on becoming YOUR version of SwiftER, HighER, StrongER. 

 

Embrace your journey and find gratitude in your experience.

 

Talk soon,

Cody