Why the American High Jumper Refused to Share Olympic Gold
Shelby McEwen, the American high jumper, declined to share the gold medal with New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr in the men’s high jump at the 2024 Olympics, insisting that there should only be one champion.
Both McEwen and Kerr successfully cleared 2.36 meters but failed all three attempts at 2.38 meters. According to the rules, the two athletes could have chosen to stop competing and share the gold medal, but McEwen refused.
The two athletes continued to fail at the “golden jump” height of 2.38 meters, so the bar was lowered back to 2.36 meters. The tie was broken only when the bar was lowered to 2.34 meters, where McEwen failed, and Kerr succeeded. This outcome has sparked debate, as if McEwen had won the gold, the U.S. would have topped the medal table at the 2024 Olympics with 41 gold medals, instead of tying with China at 40 and losing the top spot due to fewer silver medals. However, McEwen has no regrets about his decision to keep competing.
“There should only be one Olympic champion,” McEwen stated. “I’m grateful to Hamish for agreeing to continue the competition.”
The 28-year-old emphasized that elite sports are about competing to the very end. He also noted that at the Olympics, every athlete represents their country and family with pride, aiming to become the sole champion.
“We talked it over, and McEwen said, ‘Let’s keep jumping,'” Kerr revealed. “I was a bit tired, but I agreed and supported his decision.”
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Kerr and McEwen placed 10th and 12th, respectively, out of the 13 athletes in the final. They witnessed Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy share the gold medal after failing to clear 2.39 meters. While Kerr respects the decision Barshim and Tamberi made, he believes the choice he and McEwen made is also commendable.
At Paris 2024, Barshim won the bronze medal, while Tamberi finished 11th. According to the New York Post, Barshim supported McEwen and Kerr’s decision, noting that a certain level of ambition is essential in sports.
“We are athletes. We are very ambitious, and that’s how it works. To win Olympic gold, you have to be the champion of champions,” Barshim commented.
McEwen’s missed opportunity for high jump gold did not cost the U.S. the top spot at the Olympics, marking the fourth consecutive time they have finished first. In athletics alone, the U.S. led with 14 gold, 11 silver, and 9 bronze medals, far ahead of Kenya (4-2-5) and Canada (3-1-1). This was also the most gold medals the U.S. has won in athletics since Los Angeles 1984 (16-15-9).
The U.S. has topped the athletics medal table in 27 of the 33 Olympic Games, including 11 consecutive times since Los Angeles 1984. They have won a total of 358 gold, 280 silver, and 223 bronze medals, with the Soviet Union (64-55-74) and Great Britain (56-87-77) trailing behind.
