Mississippi native and Team USA high jumper Shelby McEwen has come away as a silver medalist at this years Summer Olympic games in Paris, France.
The Oxford High School graduate and Northwest Mississippi Community College alumnus claimed his first career Olympic medal after capturing a lifetime-best mark of 2.36 meters to secure second place in the men’s high jump final.
After starting the event final by clearing the four opening heights on his first attempt, McEwen failed to amass 2.34 meters twice. On his final attempt, the former Alabama Crimson Tide athlete cleared the height to stay alive in the medal hunt before also clearing the 2.36-meter mark on his first go.
OLYMPIC SILVER MEDALIST ❤️🤍🇺🇸🥈
— Shelby Mcewen “OLY” (@ShelbySm5) August 10, 2024
At the 2.38-meter height, McEwen and New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr failed to clear on all three attempts. The two were presented the option to share a gold — one that appeased Team USA in its pursuit to earn more gold medals than China – but the pair ultimately decided to re-try the 2.38-meter jump before decreasing the height until someone cleared.
After a couple of rounds of sparring, Kerr cleared the 2.34-meter mark in the jump-off to earn gold as McEwen was unable to match the feat. McEwen ended up a second-place finisher to record the 42nd silver medal for Team USA.
