America divided over Olympian’s ‘selfish’ act in men’s high jump final

An American athlete has left his country divided after he turned down an offer to capture a gold medal inside Paris’ Stade de France.

Shelby McEwen had one hand on an Olympic gold medal. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

American high jumper Shelby McEwen has left his country divided a decision that ultimately left him giving away a gold medal at the Paris Olympics on Sunday (AEST).

McEwen was taking part in the men’s high jump final when the regular competition came to an end with two athletes locked atop the leaderboard.

The 28-year-old American sat tied with New Zealand’s Hamish Kerr after both managed bests of 2.36m during the event.

What unfolded next was ultimately what left American viewers up in arms.

The two athletes spoke with officials as the potential for a shared gold medal was put to them, just like what unfolded during the Tokyo Olympics.

In 2021 Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim and Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi finished tied up in the men’s high jump final before they decided to share the gold in an instantly iconic Olympics moment.

An identical situation unfolded last year in Budapest during the world championships when Australian Nina Kennedy and American Katie Moon decided to share gold after failing to be separated.

Barshim and Tamberi delivered an iconic Olympic moment. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Moon and Kennedy showing off their shared golds. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP)

On Sunday (AEST) there was no repeat as the two men turned their back on sharing the gold medal.

“I’m pretty sure Shelby was in the same mindset because we just looked at each other and it was pretty simple,” Kerr said. “We both just nodded and off we went.”

Added McEwen, “We talked to each other, and he was like, ‘Let’s jump off.’ And I was like, ‘I’m all for it.’”

The American however would live to regret that decision as Kerr prevailed in what was an excruciating jump-off between the two.

McEwen had one hand on the gold medal. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

After 11 straight misses, Kerr cleared the bar at 2.34m with McEwen unable to match and therefore claiming the silver medal.

It led to a wave of opinions on social media with many questioning McEwen for not taking the offer to stand atop the dais with Kerr.

Sports writer Rodger Sherman wrote: “Team USA’s jumper turned down the opportunity to share gold medals and has missed every jump in the tiebreaker so far.”

Mike Sharman added: “USA’s McEwen chose not to share the Gold with NZ’s Hamish Kerr. It went to a jump-off and the Kiwi took it. Karma.”

One irate fan wrote: “Shelby McEwen is selfish rather than being a team player for #TeamUSA.”

Others however backed in McEwen for turning down the shared gold offer and putting it all on the line at the Olympics, showing he was a true competitor.

One account wrote: “Shelby McEwen could have taken the easy way out for the gold but didn’t. Sure it looks bad now that he won the silver but I respect him more for wanting to compete to prove whether he was the best.”

A second added: “He wanted to be an Olympic champion, not a shared Olympic champion. I respect that.”

McEwen, Kerr and Barshim celebrate on the podium. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI / AFP)

Many Americans however aimed their frustration at McEwen as the gold medal would have left them tied atop the medal tally with China on 39 golds on Sunday.

Zach Lowy wrote on X: “You’re telling me that we had a chance to go level with China for gold medals, only for Shelby McEwen to reject sharing the gold medal with Hamish Kerr and end up finishing second in the high jump?”

Zack Guzman added: “McEwan lost, costing the US a much needed gold medal to keep pace with China in the medal count at the Olympics.”

While America are still a chance of finishing on top of the medal tally, McEwen’s decision means all eyes will be locked in on the leaderboard as the final day of competition commences.

If there’s a tie for golds, the USA has more overall medals so would get the medal tally victory.

Originally published as America divided over Olympian’s ‘selfish’ act in men’s high jump final