Hamish Kerr refused to share Olympic high jump gold, wins jump-off against Shelby McEwen

Kerr's choice to jump-off mirrors the Tokyo Olympics when Mutaz Essa Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi shared the gold.

Hamish Kerr, New Zealand’s top high jumper, made headlines with his resolute decision to reject sharing the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, instead opting for a jump-off against American rival Shelby McEwen. 

The situation mirrored the 2021 Tokyo Olympics when Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy's Gianmarco Tamberi famously chose to share the gold. However, Kerr had made up his mind long before the competition – if faced with the option, he would compete for solo gold.

McEwen, a native of Abbeville, Mississippi, who grew up loving to jump, found himself in a tough spot during the final stages of the competition. Both jumpers had cleared 2.36 meters but failed to surpass 2.38 meters. Exhausted and aware of the stakes, McEwen considered the benefits of a draw. Kerr, however, was unwavering in his desire for a jump-off.

"We walked and talked to each other," McEwen explained, "He was like, 'Let’s jumpoff.' I was like, 'I’m all for it.'” Despite feeling fatigued, McEwen agreed to Kerr’s proposal, which led to a dramatic series of attempts.

The jump-off saw both athletes struggle, missing 11 consecutive attempts, with the bar being lowered twice. Finally, Kerr cleared 2.34 meters, clinching the gold, while McEwen settled for silver. Kerr’s bold choice made him a legend in the high jump fraternity, etching his name in history as he sprinted across the field in celebration.

McEwen, though disappointed with missing out on gold and the $50,000 prize that accompanied it, remained positive, saying, “I came up short of the gold, but I’m still thankful for what I got.”