American high jumper Shelby McEwen might be regretting his decision not to share a gold medal.
On Saturday, McEwen and New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr found themselves tied at the end of the high jump competition after both were able to clear 2.36 meters but couldn’t get over 2.38 meters.
A similar situation occurred in 2020, when both high jumpers agreed to share a gold medal after the event ended in a tie.
"Can we have two golds?" 🥇🥇
An ICONIC moment three years ago at Tokyo 2020 in the high jump! #Athletics pic.twitter.com/r9XFcxy8AE
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 10, 2024
McEwen refused to share the gold medal with Kerr, and the two competed in a jump-off for the gold medal.
McEwen lost the jump-off off, which may be costly for the USA’s gold medal competition with China.
You're telling me that we had a chance to go level with China for gold medals, only for Shelby McEwen to reject sharing the gold medal with Hamish Kerr and end up finishing second in the high jump? pic.twitter.com/wwb3GqVMnR
— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) August 10, 2024
American Shelby McEwen and Hamish Kerr declined to share a gold medal and opted for a jump off instead in high jump
McEwan lost, costing the US a much needed gold medal to keep pace with China in the medal count at the #Olympics pic.twitter.com/2suni5Afqu
— Zack Guzmán (@zGuz) August 10, 2024
Fans were not happy with McEwen’s decision.
Shelby Mcewen is an idiot. He cost us a gold medal. China might win because of it
— Justin Groshon 🌰 (@Justin4_OSU) August 10, 2024
If we lose the gold war to China I want McEwen to answer America
— A Nika With a Dream (@jamesdeanthedre) August 10, 2024
Update: Here’s the updated gold medal count going into the final day of competition.
Gold medal count update: China 39, USA 38
Both have one lock left (China: women’s weightlifting, USA: women’s basketball)China has no other contenders. USA has 3 (women’s volleyball, cyclist Jennifer Valente, wrestler Kennedy Blades). None are outright favored but all can win. pic.twitter.com/VBDmBpnAzk
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) August 10, 2024