East Gainesville honors Tamari Davis for her part in USA's Gold Medal win at world meet

World Athletics Championship 2023 Gold medalist Tamari Davis was the guest of honor at a home in east Gainesville on Saturday to celebrate her achievement.

Born and raised in east Gainesville

Davis, 20, was born and raised in east Gainesville, and is the daughter of Derrill and Tamara Davis.

Tamari Davis helps wins gold medal

She won her gold medal as the first leg of the United States 4x100 meter relay team on Aug. 26 at the World Athletics Championship 2023 track and field meet in Budapest, Hungary.

"I'm happy to make it this far," said Davis, who attended Lake Forest Elementary School, Lincoln Middle School and Oak Hall School, Gainesville High School and East Ridge High School in Lake County before graduating from Alachua County eSchool, a free public school operated by the Alachua County School District, after signing a professional contract with Adidas at the age of 16.

After finishing ninth in the 100 meters at the World Championships in Budapest, Davis joined U.S. world-class sprinters Twanisha Terry, Gabby Thomas and Sha'Carri Richardson to win the gold in the 4x100 relay with a time of 41.03 seconds.

"I was nervous, but as soon as I heard the gun, I got comfortable," Davis said.

Tamari Davis inspired by brother

Her track career began at the age of six when she was inspired by her older brother, Desmond Davis, who also ran track.

“Always dream and never give up,” Davis said. “Keep believing in yourself. That’s what I did and now I’m a gold medalist. This is only the beginning.”

Her home church is Faith Church in southeast Gainesville, which is led by Pastor Kevin Thorpe.

Simply amazing

“It’s been an amazing dream of hers to represent her country,” said the runner's mother Tamara Davis. “Seeing all the ladies work together to accomplish one goal was amazing. It felt like she won for all of us. That moment is etched in our memories forever.”

Education, humbleness are priorities

Her mother said she is currently taking classes at Santa Fe College to study exercise and sports science and then will transfer to the University of Florida to complete her bachelor’s degree.

She described her daughter as loving, humble, appreciative, hardworking and dedicated.

She thanked coaches named Gary Evans, Kaila Reddick and Larry Holsey for assisting her daughter's track career.

Youth track and field: Track clubs do well at indoor meet

Reddick said she has been Davis’ coach ever since she was running for the Gainesville Striders, a local youth track and field club.

“I knew she was special,” Reddick said. “To see her mature and achieve this goal at this age is astonishing. It’s amazing and a blessing.”

Celebration held at family friend's home

Annette Kleckley is a family friend who coordinated the Tamari Davis Homecoming celebration at her home with the help of her husband George Kleckley.

Annette Kleckley said she grew up with Davis’ aunt, Janice Dickson, and Davis’ grandmother, Shirline Able, in east Gainesville, and is good friends with Davis’ mother.

“I remember when her mother was carrying her,” Kleckley said. “I’ve been watching her since she was running at seven years old at Cone Park. Seeing her win (at Budapest) was like a dream come true for the young lady. She made so many sacrifices. We are so proud of her.”

“It’s amazing to see people who care about me and I’m proud to show my accomplishment to the community,” Davis said.

Davis had a distinguished youth career

Davis accomplished much in her youth years by winning multiple gold medals and setting records at the AAU Junior Olympics in a variety of age divisions.

Davis won the State of Florida High School state competition in the 200m while attending Gainesville High with a time of 22.48 seconds in 9th grade. At that time she was one of five young women to ever accomplish one of the fastest high school times.

During her time at Oak Hall, Davis won the 100m, 200m and winning 4x100 with her teammates.

As a professional athlete, Davis finished 4th for the U.S. at the World 2022 Trials in Eugene, Oregon and made the U.S. team as an alternate in the 100m and 4x100 relay.

In 2023, Davis placed 3rd in the 100m at the World 2023 Trials in Eugene, Oregon and made the USA team in the 100m and 4x100 relay.

Davis said she and her teammates in November will begin preparing for the 2024 Olympics, which will be held in Paris, France. The University of Florida is partnering with Team USA to provide care to athletes leading up to the event.

“My team’s goal was to be done early by mid-September and to get our bodies fully rested for two months,” Davis said. “My goal is to make the Olympic standard for Paris in the 100m 200m, and the 4x100 relay.”

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: East G'ville native Tamari Davis shines as a sprinter on world stage