Kerr Wins Gold in Controversial High Jump Duel
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In a dramatic final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hamish Kerr of New Zealand claimed the gold medal in high jump after a fierce competition against Shelby McEwen of the USA. Unlike the shared gold at Tokyo 2020, both athletes opted for a direct duel, pushing their limits as they both cleared 2.36 meters but failed to surpass 2.38 meters after multiple attempts.
Kerr expressed his respect for the previous gold-sharing decision but emphasized the thrill of a head-to-head competition. Ultimately, he triumphed by clearing 2.34 meters in the tiebreaker, while McEwen secured silver.
The event also saw Gianmarco Tamberi eliminated early, and Qatar's Barshim, who previously shared gold, took bronze. The decision not to share the gold impacted the overall medal standings, with China leading the count over the USA as the Games approached their conclusion.