Getting To Know Track & Field’s Karim Abdel Wahab

By Will Bennett

Georgia track and field assistant Karim Abdel Wahab, who helps guide the Bulldog sprinters and hurdlers, joined Caryl Smith Gilbert's staff in July 2023 following five years in a similar role for the University of South Carolina.  The native of Egypt has coached the highest level athletes in the sport at the Olympics, World Championships and beyond since graduating from Helwan University in Cairo back in 2002.

Here is a look at who Karim Abdel Wahab is . . .

Q: How long did you live in Egypt, and do you ever get back home?
A: I lived in Egypt the first 25 year of my life.  I migrated to the U.S. at 25 and have now been here for nearly 25 years now. It's about to be 21 years this spring.  I went back this past September.  I get back there every few years.

Q: How do you feel about the new coaching staff with all the new additions?
A: I'm excited, everyone brings something special to the table.  Now that we are on the same team, we can fight for our school and fight for UGA.

Q: What do you look for when recruiting athletes as a coach?
A: Other than athletic performance, one thing I look for is character and that means work ethic, mental toughness and love for the sport.  Also, it's important to have love and commitment to want to get a college degree.  If someone is a talented athlete in high school but is lazy, has terrible leadership and terrible work ethic, that doesn't compare to someone known for work ethic who also loves track and is very committed and passionate.  We look for the athletes who are also mentally tough and willing to put in hard work.  When I ask high schoolers if they are mentally tough, they say yes, then I ask for an example.  Like, 'How about your leadership?' then I would ask for an example.  Character on top, then it goes to subcategories of work ethic, passion and love for the sport.  It's more common to find good athletes compared to good athletes with character.

Q: With this being an Olympic year, does it change the collegiate track and field season in your eyes?
A: The Olympic year always has its own vibe.  A lot of people have that dream, and we try to make sure that our athletes take it very seriously.  As coaches, we try to help develop them mentally and keep building them up.  If they have a chance to make it on an Olympic team, it's very exciting.  We get excited and try to be the most serious when it comes to the Olympic year because of those reasons.

Q: What's it like trying to have your athletes at peak level for both the Olympics and the NCAAs during a year like this?
A: Lots of planning.  We look at those future goals and work backwards and plan accordingly.  We also plan it so athletes can not only perform well at NCAAs, but also not be tired out for the Olympic Trials.  It's just a lot of planning.

Q: What's the Olympics like as a coach?
A: It's a fun experience and every time I go back, I want to have better results than before.  It's motivating and exciting.

Q: Considering that you are no stranger to the SEC, how do you describe the level of competition as a whole?
A: World-class, one of the best in the world.  It's the best athletic conference in the world.  It's amazing how national and world records are broken in the conference.

Q: Considering that you're a certified trainer and therapist, how has that helped you as a coach?
A: It helps me understand what the physical therapists and athletic trainers are talking about.  Also being able to better support my athletes by having a better understanding of the area.  Basically, my work in those fields has given me that background.  Although I don't use it currently because of our outstanding medical staff it is still super helpful for sure.  It helps the bridge the knowledge gap for me to help my athletes.

Q: How have you adjusted to Athens from Columbia, S.C.?
A: Columbia is only two hours and 40 minutes away so not to far.  Much different in terms of the states.  Athens is also a very different city than Columbia.  I think that Athens is a great college town, while Columbia is in the capital city in the downtown area.  The campus is right next to the state capitol building in Columbia.  Athens is a true college town with a nice bubble for the best college experience.  I like the restaurants, downtown and the vibe of the city.  I love UGA.

Q: Outside of coaching, what are some of your hobbies?
A: I'm a big movie guy.  I like good food.  I like movies from different categories. I n sports movies, I like Remember The Titans, Glory Road, Coach Carter and Raceare my top four.

Q: What is your favorite sport that's not track?
A: I enjoy watching football and other sports.  I enjoy all the Olympic sports especially during an Olympic year like this.  Gymnastics is a good one, also soccer and basketball.  Soccer sometimes when I'm in the mood for it.  I really enjoy football so that's up there.

Q: Since you have coached many athletes in your career, what makes certain ones stand out?
A: I would say character.  When special things happen on the track, it's because of their character.  Each athlete goes through adversity at some point, but the great ones are the ones that power through it.  They can go through those stressful time and cope.  The greats can power through and that's what's truly inspiring about those athletes.

University of Georgia Athletics

Getting To Know Track & Field’s Karim Abdel Wahab

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