Shelby McEwen on gold medal

During the men's high jump final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, American athlete Shelby McEwen faced criticism for opting not to share the gold medal with New Zealand's Hamish Kerr, leading to a contentious jump-off. Both athletes cleared 2.36 meters, but after a series of misses, Kerr secured gold by clearing 2.34 meters, while McEwen took silver. The decision to compete rather than tie divided fans, with some praising McEwen's competitive spirit, while others questioned the wisdom of risking gold for a single champion. McEwen acknowledged the mutual agreement to jump off, stating he might have considered a tie but ultimately accepted the competition format. The outcome left the U.S. trailing China in overall gold medals, raising concerns about national pride. McEwen remains focused on future competitions, particularly the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.