PARIS – Tara Davis-Woodhall of the USA captured the Olympic long jump gold with a dynamic performance, reaching a distance of 7.10 meters. This victory adds to her impressive 2024 track record, having previously won her first global title at the World Indoor Championships.
The 25-year-old Californian, who set a personal best of 7.18 meters indoors earlier this year, displayed increasing confidence as the competition progressed. Her final leap proved decisive, outpacing Germany’s Malaika Mihambo, who earned silver with a best jump of 6.98 meters.
Davis-Woodhall’s American teammate, Jasmine Moore, also shone brightly, securing her second bronze of the Games. Moore’s opening jump of 6.96 meters earned her a spot on the podium, complementing her earlier bronze in the triple jump.
Italian athlete Larisa Iapichino, the 22-year-old European silver medallist, consistently performed well but fell short of the podium with a best jump of 6.87 meters.
“I’ve dreamed of this moment since I was four years old,” said Davis-Woodhall, who remains unbeaten this year and has surpassed seven meters in every competition since February. “I’ve been telling myself all year: ‘8-0-8, that’s the day we win the Olympics.’”
Reflecting on the support from her husband, US Paralympian Hunter Woodhall, Davis-Woodhall expressed her enthusiasm: “It’s everything. We’ve worked so hard this season. I can’t wait to support him at the Paralympics just as he supports me.”
On the significance of the word “sacrifice” tattooed on her torso, she added: “It’s the first word I learned. I’ve sacrificed so much for this journey.”
Moore expressed her joy at securing her second medal: “I am so over the moon. Despite the quick turnaround, I trusted myself and felt comfortable with the crowd. Two Olympic medals—two bronze medals—this has been a dream come true.”
Mihambo, who faced challenges in the qualifying rounds with two fouls, began her final with a leading effort of 6.77 meters. However, she initially fell behind Davis-Woodhall and Moore after the first round. Despite recovering to third place with a jump of 6.81 meters and later improving to 6.95 meters, Mihambo could not surpass Davis-Woodhall’s performances.
As Davis-Woodhall set a new personal best with her final jump of 7.10 meters, Mihambo’s attempt to regain her title was thwarted. In the final moments, Davis-Woodhall enjoyed a celebratory jump of 6.68 meters before jubilantly collapsing into the sand.
Esa Brume of Nigeria finished fifth with a sixth-round best of 6.70 meters, just ahead of the USA’s Monae Nichols, who achieved a mark of 6.67 meters.
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