• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
USA high-jumper Shelby McEwen breaks silence after refusing to share Olympic gold medal with rival that ended up costing him

Home> Athletics

Published 16:59 11 Aug 2024 GMT+1

USA high-jumper Shelby McEwen breaks silence after refusing to share Olympic gold medal with rival that ended up costing him

Shelby McEwen made headlines after refusing to share a gold medal.

Matthew Holt

Matthew Holt

US high-jumper Shelby McEwen has defended his decision to turn down a shared Olympic gold medal.

McEwen, who eventually had to to settle for silver in Paris, has drawn criticism for his seemingly arrogant nature.

Forced to compete with New Zealand's Hamish Kerr in a jump-off, the latter cleared 2.34 meters, pipping the 28-year-old to win gold in the process.

McEwen's rejection of the opportunity to win a joint gold with his nearest rival resulted in a bitter conclusion for him, as he was left with silver.

The American star has accepted the criticism he has received and has no remorse about opting for a head-to-head jump-off.

Advert

"If it was meant to be it would’ve been," he told reporters at a press conference after the event.

"Shout out to Hamish for coming up to me, accepting a jump off and I accepted it and I was all for it."

Kerr, who also agreed with the decision to not share a gold, hasn't received as much backlash as McEwen.

Shelby McEwen and Hamish Kerr celebrate their medal successes
Shelby McEwen and Hamish Kerr celebrate their medal successes

Advert

"I mean, hey, he got the gold and I got the silver," added the Team USA athlete.

"At the end of the day, like he said it’s a sport. I mean I represent my country, just like he’s representing his.

"I’m representing my family just like he’s representing his.

"At the end of the day we all want to be champions and the only respectful thing to do is walk away with one champion."

Advert

A similar scenario also played out at the Tokyo games in 2021, as Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy decided to share a gold in the same event.

Kerr reflected on the decision made and heaped praise on the American for wanting to make history of their own accord.

"I have so much respect for what they did in Tokyo," said the gold medal winner.

Advert

"But I always thought that to add to the story and to be able to be given the chance to actually do the jump-off would be so amazing.

"I knew straight away that we were going to make history and we did that.

"I'm pretty sure Shelby was in the same mindset because we just looked at each other and it was pretty simple.

"We both just nodded and off we went.

Advert

"We talked to each other, and he was like, "Let's jump off."

"And I was like, "I'm all for it."'

Featured Image Credit: Getty/Olympics

Topics: USA, Olympics

Matthew Holt
Matthew Holt

Matthew is a Freelance Sports Journalist who also works for Manchester United, FourFourTwo and Reach PLC. He supports Scunthorpe United.

X

@_mattyholt

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 days ago
6 days ago
7 days ago
9 days ago
  • 5 days ago

    Usain Bolt explains why Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson would have stood no chance at 2012 Olympic Games

    Noah Lyles beat Kishane Thompson at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

    Athletics
  • 6 days ago

    Nike forced to issue statement after claims they 'lied' about Faith Kipyegon's sub-4 mile attempt to make it look faster

    The Olympic gold medallist attempted to become the first woman to run a mile in less than four minutes.

    Athletics
  • 7 days ago

    Sprinter who claimed to beat Usain Bolt's 150m world record could be jailed after allegations of violence

    The sprinter once claimed that he had bettered the great Jamaican's time, but now faces huge issues off the track.

    Athletics
  • 9 days ago

    Usain Bolt sent urgent warning to 17-year-old sprint sensation Gout Gout after teenager smashes another record

    The Australian was given advice by the legendary Jamaican Olympian.

    Athletics
  • US athlete wins silver medal after finalists turn down opportunity to share joint gold medal at Olympics
  • Why Ukrainian high jumper wrapped herself in a sleeping bag after winning Olympic gold medal
  • People are just finding out truth about Olympic gold medal after athlete gives close look
  • Olympic athlete 'wanders off' track midway during 10,000m as BBC commentators left confused