Lamont Marcell Jacobs Senior was an 18–year–old American serviceman, stationed at Caserma Ederle (Camp Ederle) in Vicenza, Italy, when he met Viviana Masini, a local resident two years his junior. They married and relocated to Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas; and three years later their son, Lamont Marcell Junior, was born. Just three weeks after the birth, Lamont Marcell Senior was transferred to South Korea, and Viviana returned to Italy – taking Lamont Marcell Junior with her. The couple split up when the baby was six months old.
Lamont Marcell Jacobs Junior "strictly identifies as being Italian", according to Wikipedia. Although estranged from an early age, in 2020 he re–established a relationship with his father at the suggestion of his mental coach. He said that reconciling with his father gave him the motivation and peace of mind he needed to focus on winning in the Olympics.
© Haydn Thompson 2022