Alabama Alum Shelby McEwen Claims Silver in High Jump at Paris Olympics
8/10/2024 4:08:00 PM | Track & Field, Cross Country
After reaching a jump-off in the event final, McEwen (United States) ultimately claimed second place with a lifetime-best 2.36-meter mark (7-8.75)
PARIS – Alabama track and field alum Shelby McEwen (United States) claimed his first career Olympic medal after capturing a lifetime-best mark (2.36m | 7-8.75) to secure second place in the men's high jump final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After starting the event final by clearing the four opening heights on his first attempt, McEwen found himself with two failed tries at 2.34m (7-8). On his final attempt, the Alabama grad cleared the height to stay alive in the medal hunt before also clearing the 2.36-meter mark on his first go.
At the 2.38-meter height (7-9.75), McEwen and Hamish Kerr from New Zealand failed to clear on all three attempts. The decision was made that the duo would enter a jump-off to determine the Olympic champion, as the pair would re-try 2.38m before decreasing the height until someone cleared.
With Kerr clearing the 2.34-meter mark in the jump-off to earn gold, McEwen secured his first-ever Olympic medal and the 42nd silver medal for Team USA at the Paris Olympics.
Silver medalist. Alabama Legend.#RollTide | #OlympiansMadeHere | #WhereLegendsAreMade pic.twitter.com/4KbWlahvvn
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) August 10, 2024
Shelby McEwen is taking home his first Olympic medal! ??#RollTide | #OlympiansMadeHere | #WhereLegendsAreMade pic.twitter.com/dDeBt0Gzex
— Alabama Track & Field (@AlabamaTrack) August 10, 2024
Shelby McEwen (United States)
- First career medal for the two-time Olympic high jump finalist
- Tokyo 2020 | 12th Â
- 2019 NCAA individual champion and four-time All-American as a student-athlete at Alabama
- Track & Field seasons at Alabama: 2018-19
