PARIS, France: Ryan Crouser has cemented his legacy in the shot put arena with his historic third consecutive Olympic gold medal, an achievement he considers his most meaningful yet.
At the Stade de France on Saturday, the 31-year-old American surpassed his previous performances with a season’s best throw of 22.90 meters on his third attempt.
This victory follows his wins at the 2016 Rio Games and the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, marking him as the first man to achieve three straight Olympic titles in this event.
Crouser’s success not only extends the American dominance in the shot put—this marks the 20th time an American has claimed the Olympic gold in 30 games—but also places him in a distinguished group of athletes. The only other shot putters to win back-to-back golds are American legends Ralph Rose (1904, 1908) and Parry O’Brien (1952, 1956), alongside Poland’s Tomasz Majewski (2008, 2012). Crouser’s consistent excellence underscores his exceptional skill and competitive spirit.
Crouser reflected on the significance of this win, noting it as the “sweetest victory” of his career. He explained that while his previous victories were remarkable, the challenges he faced this season—from elbow injuries to a torn pectoral muscle—made this achievement even more special. Despite these setbacks, Crouser’s resilience shone through, demonstrating his remarkable ability to overcome adversity.
His US teammate Joe Kovacs, who won silver with a final throw of 22.15 meters, has now finished as the runner-up to Crouser three times. Jamaican Rajindra Campbell secured bronze with the same distance as Kovacs, highlighting the competitive nature of this year’s event.
Looking ahead, Crouser expressed his desire to conclude his career with a fourth Olympic title in Los Angeles 2028. For him, this would be the ultimate culmination of his athletic journey, particularly as it would be the first and only time he competes in the US Olympics. Meanwhile, Kovacs, at 35, may be nearing the end of his Olympic career but remains proud of his achievements and the rivalry with Crouser.
Crouser’s third consecutive gold medal not only reinforces his status as one of the greatest shot putters in history but also exemplifies his remarkable perseverance and dedication to the sport.
