High Jump Drama at Paris 2024

In the latest episode of Olympic high jumping, it was a battle to remember! This time around, there was no sharing the gold like in Tokyo. Remember when Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi decided to split their victory? Well, the excitement was different this time.

At the Paris 2024 Games, Shelby McEwen from the USA and Hamish Kerr from New Zealand ended up tied after failing to clear the height of 2.38m. A voice over the PA system even joked about their situation, hinting at what happened in Tokyo. But this time, neither athlete wanted to play nice. They both agreed to keep going instead of sharing the win.

To everyone’s surprise, the jump-off turned into a nail-biter. Even though McEwen and Kerr had personal bests of 2.36m, the pressure of the moment got to them. They didn’t manage to clear 2.38m, so the bar was lowered to 2.36m. The event dragged on, with the jumpers trying to fit their jumps around the relay races happening nearby.

McEwen went for his attempt as the 4x400m runners were charging around the track, but he missed. On the other hand, Kerr smartly waited for the chaos to die down, cleared the height, and then celebrated with open arms in front of a roaring crowd of 70,000 fans.

It was a triumphant moment for Kerr, as he became the first athlete from New Zealand to win a medal in this event. McEwen earned a silver medal, an impressive finish after a long wait for the U.S. in high jump since 2012.

Mutaz Barshim, who already has a shiny collection of Olympic medals, snagged the bronze. He has faced challenges this season due to injuries and couldn’t jump at his best. In fact, he placed all his hopes on one single attempt at 2.38m after struggling earlier.

Things also didn’t go well for Tamberi, the Italian reigning champion. He faced a difficult time due to health issues that put his participation in doubt. Despite battling through illness, he couldn’t perform at his usual level and ended up in tears after his final jumps.

The night was filled with ups and downs, showcasing the highs and lows of competitive sports, especially in what turned out to be an unforgettable high jump competition.