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Fact Check: Did Shelby McEwen really decline sharing the gold medal during high jump final at Paris Olympics 2024?
American Shelby McEwen and New Zealand's Hamish Kerr both cleared a height of 2.36m in the men’s high jump final event at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The results offered the two high jumpers a chance to share the gold medal but McEwen was not up for it and declined to share it.
Starting his Olympic campaign, McEwen cleared 2.27m to lead the qualifiers in Group A and sail through to the final. The final saw dramatic scenes unfold with a jump-off at the end after McEwen and Kerr were tied on the 2.36m mark.
As per the New York Post, both Kerr and McEwen agreed to the jump-off. However, they both struggled to make an impression after several attempts.
After missing 11 attempts, Kerr managed to successfully clear 2.34m and win the gold medal, leaving McEwen with silver. The American’s decision to decline the shared gold has elicited mixed reactions from fans, with some applauding him for his bravery while others questioned the motive behind his decision.
One fan lauded Shelby McEwen for his competitive nature as he expressed surprise at the hate comments the American was receiving.
"I’m amazed at the negative comments angry because Shelby Mcewen didn’t want to share the gold. Like where’s the competitive spirit people? In no other sport are asking our athletes to take a tie. I’m with him 1000% we ain’t sharing nathan!" the fan shared.
McEwen put the rumors of declining to share the gold medal to rest, explaining that it is the nature of sport to lose some and win some.
As quoted by Marca, McEwen said everyone wants to be a champion but that it was respectful to have one champion.
"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," McEwen said.
"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," he added.
Shelby McEwen puts Paris Olympics setback behind him as he shifts focus to LA 2028 Olympics
Shelby McEwen has shifted his focus to the LA 2028 Olympic Games following his Paris Olympics setback where he had to settle for a silver medal.
Following his silver medal, McEwen noted that he would go back to the drawing board, make amends and focus on getting better ahead of major events.
"I’m going to take my silver, get back to the drawing board, trust my team, trust my doctors, trust my training and get better," McEwen told the New York Post.
The American was off to a great start this season, finishing second at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland before his exploits in Paris.
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