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FANS have accused Olympic high jumpers of “really hating their opponents” after a decision made by two athletes in the gold medal contest.
New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr and Team USA’s Shelby McEwen turned down the chance to share gold in the Men’s High Jump in favour of a straight jump-off to decide one winner.
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Both Kerr and McEwen had found themselves battling it out for gold having achieved a successful jump at 2.36m and secured a finish above the rest of the pack.
The pair were offered the opportunity to end the event there and walk away as dual Olympic champions, but wanted to have an outright winner – meaning both stars went jump for jump to take home the top prize.
Some fans watching on from home couldn’t believe that the duo hadn’t chosen to call it a day and win gold, taking to social media to question their decision.
One wrote: “How crazy do you have to be to be given the chance to share the gold medal and deciding you want to go to a jump-off instead?!”
While another added: “Uunless you REALLY hate your opponent, why would you ever go to a ‘jump-off’ instead of sharing gold?
“Lol even if you’re UBER confident of winning, you ALREADY have the gold… now, you’re just trying to deny your opponent glory lol.”
Unfortunately for McEwan his decision to turn down a share of the spoils ended with him taking second place.
The American was unable to clear a reduced 2.34m bar for a second time, while Kerr narrowly made the jump and took home gold as a result.
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Some reports have suggested that McEwan was the one who insisted for a jump-off with Kerr happy to share gold.
Sharing the medal isn’t unheard of with Mutaz Barshim of Qatar and Gianmarco Tamberi of Italy deciding to split first place and win gold at the Tokyo games.
Both Barshim and Tamberi cleared 2.37 in the delayed 2021 games.
The touching moment saw the two athletes hugging and celebrating as they agreed to “make history” in a conversation with an Olympic official.
Barshim earned another medal this year with the Qatari finishing third behind Kerr and McEwen in Paris.
While Tamberi looked a shadow of his 2021 self, finishing 11th in the standings inside the Stade de France.
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