Hamish Kerr and Shelby McEwen defend decision not to share high jump gold - 'Walk away with one champion'
Published 11/08/2024 at 16:37 GMT
Hamish Kerr and Shelby McEwen have reacted after refusing to split gold in the men’s high jump. The pair entered a nail-biting jump-off that the Kiwi victor described as a “special moment”. The American, who settled for silver after failing to match Kerr’s 2.34m, was gracious in defeat, adding: “We all want to be champions and the only respectful thing to do is walk away with one champion".
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Hamish Kerr has described the decision to enter a jump-off against Shelby McEwen in the men's high jump as a "special moment" after the pair had refused to split gold.
The Kiwi and American had both cleared 2.36m in regulation to find themselves tied for the gold.
But unlike in Tokyo 2020, where Qatar's Mutaz Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi opted to share the top spot on the podium rather than enter into a jump-off, Kerr and McEwen had other ideas.
Both failed to clear 2.38m - the next height above what they had achieved so far. The bar was then lowered to 2.36m and eventually 2.34m.
In a gripping contest, Kerr finally made his jump at 2.34m - a feat that McEwen couldn't match.
"It was an amazing thing to be a part of," Kerr said at a press conference after his victory.
"Being in Tokyo and seeing Barshim and Tamberi share theirs [gold medals] was such a special moment.
"But I think that, you know, as competitors and as people who want to continue the sports history and legacy, both me and Shelby decided that it would be cool to see what happens if we actually try to play it out. So that's what we did.
"It was an amazing competition. And I'm pretty happy that it ended when it did, because we were getting pretty tired. But, at the same time, it was just such a special moment."
McEwen, meanwhile, was gracious in defeat, and did not appear to have any regrets about not splitting the gold when he had the chance.
“If it was meant to be, it would’ve been. Shout out to Hamish for coming up to me, accepting a jump-off and I accepted it and I was all for it," said the 28-year-old.
“I mean, hey, he got the gold and I got the silver. 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.”
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Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Barshim completed the podium, and his bronze medal made him the most successful Olympic high jumper of all time.
Speaking about the jump-off, he described it as "an amazing competition".
The Qatari also reflected on a career that has seen him compete in four Olympic Games, winning one gold, two silvers and a bronze.
"Well, first of all, let me say congrats, Hamish. Congrats Shelby was, you know, as I say, is amazing competition," he explained.
"I'm really happy. I'm really, really happy. "It used to be a dream just to be an Olympian. Today, I'm standing here as the most decorated high jump Olympian ever.
"I still kind of think I need to take a moment to to realise that. And as I say it, it's been a journey.
"I've been here 2012, 16, 20 and now four Olympics. You go through ups and down, injuries, and you still being able to come here and stand tall, produce solid jumps. [It's] something that I should be proud of. Me and my team and everyone that been supporting me through the journey.”
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