Charles Austin (born December 19, 1967) is an American athlete who won the gold medal in the men's high jump at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also the 1991 world champion. The 190 cm Austin cleared 2.39m (7 ft 10) on his final jump (an Olympic record at the time), beating Artur Partyka of Poland, who won the silver medal. His coach is Sue Humphrey. He attended Van Vleck High School in Van Vleck, Texas. Where he graduated in 1986. He also holds the current American outdoor record of 2.40m (7'10.5") set August, 7, 1991 in Zurich, Switzerland.