Ryan Crouser of the United States celebrates after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)
PARIS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- American Ryan Crouser joined a select group of athletes when he clinched his third consecutive Olympic shot put title on Saturday.
The 31-year-old clinched the gold medal with a best throw of 22.9m, finishing ahead of compatriot Joe Kovacs and Jamaican Rajindra Campbell, who took silver and bronze, respectively.
Crouser is only the 11th person to win three consecutive individual gold medals in the same event in Olympic Games athletics.
The most recent athlete to achieve the feat before Saturday was Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt, who won the 100 and 200m at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016.
"I'm just honored," Crouser said. "I feel so lucky to be out there competing. This year hasn't been easy. The elbow injury, the back, just so many setbacks.
"A lot of self-doubt as to whether I would get back. Took a lot to get back to where I had been in the past. It's made it all the more special to be out there tonight. There were a lot of times I thought I might not be."
Kovacs moved into the silver medal position with an impressive final throw of 22.15, despite the driving rain at Stade de France.
The performance drew warm praise from his teammate.
"The rain came in, and it was tough conditions towards the end," Crouser said. "It helped to be leading, but the throw of the day goes to Joe in round 6. In the rain, improving from fourth place was the most impressive throw I've ever seen him take."
The 31-year-old admitted that he had benefitted from feeling more relaxed at these Games.
"In Tokyo, I felt so much pressure to perform because I had just thrown the world record," he said. "I was in fantastic shape. It felt like it was mine to lose. Tonight I just felt happy to be here, I felt so appreciative."
He thanked those around him for providing his support system.
"So many people went into this," he said. "My girlfriend Megan Clark has been helping me so much. She's in med school, she took a break from studying to work on my elbow. My mum did so much. My dad is down there, coaching and helping out. He's on the camera. My mum in the stands, organizing everything for everyone. There are so many people to thank for this one." ■
Ryan Crouser of the United States celebrates after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ying)
Ryan Crouser of the United States competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser of the United States competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser of the United States competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser of the United States competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser of the United States reacts during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser (C) and Joe Kovacs (R) of the United States pose with Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Ryan Crouser (C) and Joe Kovacs (R) of the United States pose with Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Joe Kovacs of the United States celebrates after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Song Yanhua)
Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica celebrates after the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Joe Kovacs of the United States competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Leonardo Fabbri of Italy competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Payton Otterdahl of the United States compete during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Uziel Munoz of Mexico competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Tomas Stanek of Czech Republic competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Tom Walsh of New Zealand competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
Rajindra Campbell of Jamaica competes during the men's shot put final of athletics at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Li Ming)
