West Central Michigan News

Alex Rose, a former Central Michigan University track and field athlete, will represent Samoa in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris. This marks his third appearance at the Olympics, having previously competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020.

Rose, originally from West Branch, Michigan, has been an international competitor in discus for a decade. He qualifies to represent Samoa due to his father's Samoan heritage. Reflecting on his previous Olympic experiences, Rose stated, "I think in Rio, in 2016, I felt like I was just lucky to be there."

In both prior Olympics, Rose did not advance to the finals. However, he reached the finals at the World Championships held in Eugene (2022) and Budapest (2023). Currently ranked ninth globally with a personal best throw of 71.48 meters earlier this year—one of the longest throws worldwide for 2024—Rose feels confident about his chances in Paris.

"I'm very determined and I'm very confident about my chances in Paris," said Rose. He attributes much of his progress to consistency and technical refinement over time. "One big thing that I've learned over the past decade... is consistency," he added.

At age 32, Rose's career trajectory aligns with many discus throwers who peak after turning 30 due to the sport's technical complexity. "There are so many elements to the technique... it can take years and years to truly understand," he explained.

Balancing his athletic career with his role as a technical sales engineer requires frequent travel across Michigan and Northern Indiana. Despite these challenges, Rose maintains a rigorous training schedule by utilizing facilities at Grand Valley State or Calvin College when home and seeking out local high school facilities while on the road.

Rose credits marriage, fatherhood, and professional responsibilities with contributing positively to his growth as an athlete. "As a parent and as a husband you're under a lot of stress... I think my experience as an international competitor... have given me the tools to be a good dad," he noted.

Looking ahead, Rose remains optimistic about continuing his discus career beyond Paris. "Every year I've asked myself the same (retirement) question... lately it seems like I keep surprising myself," he said. With aspirations such as becoming the first Pacific Islander finalist or medalist in track & field at either future Olympics or World Championships, Rose intends to keep pursuing excellence.