Double gold in athletics again: Two years after the legendary joint Olympic victory of high jumpers Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim in Tokyo in Tokyo, pole vaulters Nina Kennedy (Australia) and Katie Moon (USA) have decided to draw and thus Two gold medals agreed.
Kennedy and Moon faced each other, already smiling in disbelief, the judges kept a little distance. “Yes?” the Australian asked her opponent. “Yes,” said Moon and both happily hugged each other, the audience went wild. Double gold in the women’s pole vault – an emotional conclusion to a spectacular competition in which Wilma Murto (Finland, 4.80 m) won bronze.
Rules: Jump-offs or double wins are possible
In a gripping final, both had jumped 4.90 m – at the same time the world record for the year – in the third attempt. After that, Kennedy and Moon failed three times at 4.95 m. According to the rules, both athletes can then play a jump-off for victory at the next lower height (that would have been 4.90 m) – or just agree on a double victory.
“It was immediately: Yes, I want to share this moment with you.”
“To be honest, I didn’t realize until the Olympics that there was an opportunity to share a gold medal,” Moon told the sports show. The Olympic and world champion from Eugene didn’t have to think long when she spoke to Kennedy. “It was immediately: Yes, I want to share this moment with you,” said the 32-year-old. “It just makes so much sense that we both won today.”
“Privilege of Sharing Gold with Katie”
The Australian accepted with thanks. “It was an incredible competition, it feels great,” said Eugene, who came third in the World Championships. “There is no greater privilege than sharing gold with Katie.”
The Italians Tamberi and Barshim from Qatar had already done this in 2021 at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. In Budapest Tamberi won high jump gold as a soloist, Barshim took bronze. Track and field history was made this time with the pole vaulters.