Current:Home > reviewsAmerican discus thrower Valarie Allman makes it back to back gold medals at Paris Games -MoneyStream
American discus thrower Valarie Allman makes it back to back gold medals at Paris Games
View
Date:2025-04-15 10:21:07
SAINT-DENIS, France — The Olympic field in women's discus had three years to close the gap on Valarie Allman, and on Monday, they found out they'll need four more.
The defending gold medal winner from the 2021 Tokyo Games did it again for Team USA Monday, making it back-to-back golds with a throw of 69.50 at the Paris Olympics. The silver medal went to China's Bin Feng (67.51) and the bronze to Croatia's Sandra Elkasevic (67.51).
Allman fouled on her first attempt, landing the discus wide of the right-side boundary, but took the lead on her second try with a throw of 68.74. She put the competition totally out of reach with the 69.50 on her fourth attempt.
"It felt so wrong. I felt like a fish out of water," Allman said of the foul on her first attempt, one of two fouls among six throws. "It's so much about rhythm and timing and feel, and I wasn't quite calibrated."
If there was any doubt that Allman was the one to beat, she removed it in qualifying on Friday with a throw of 69.59 that was nearly four meters farther than anyone else. She didn't win the gold quite that comfortably, but easily enough.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
"I wanted to embrace the crowd, I wanted to embrace this moment of being at the Olympics and giving it my all," Allman said. "And to end with a throw with the whole crowd engaged right there, that's one of those moments I'll remember forever."
SALUTATIONS:Simone Biles ran afoul of salute etiquette. She made sure it didn’t happen on floor
NUM, NUM, NUM:Katie Ledecky meets Sesame Street's Cookie Monster and Elmo at Paris Games
Allman won her gold medal in Tokyo with a throw of 68.98 and holds the national record at 71.46. She is now only the fourth woman ever to win two Olympic gold medals in discus, and just the third to do so in back-to-back Games. Previously, it was last accomplished by Croatian Sandra Perkovic, who took consecutive golds in 2012 and 2016.
It's been a remarkable professional career for someone whose first passion was dance. The coordination and balance required translated well to discus, and Allman began turning from dancer to discus while at Longmont (Colo.) Silver Springs High School. She took to it quickly enough to become a national champion and earn a scholarship to Stanford.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at [email protected]. Follow on X @chasegoodbread.
The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (32911)
Related
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Florida flamingos spotted in unusual places after Idalia: 'Where are (they) going?'
- Dick Vitale finishes radiation for vocal cord cancer, awaits further testing
- Penn Badgley Reunites With Gossip Girl Sister Taylor Momsen
- Opinion: Gianni Infantino, FIFA sell souls and 2034 World Cup for Saudi Arabia's billions
- Anderson Cooper talks with Kelly Ripa about 'truly mortifying' Madonna concert experience
- Stormy conditions leave thousands stranded at Burning Man Festival
- 'Wait Wait' for September 2, 2023: Live in Michigan with Bob Seger
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Are Target, Costco, Walmart open on Labor Day? Store hours for Home Depot, TJ Maxx, more
Ranking
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- How one man fought a patent war over turmeric
- Record travel expected Labor Day weekend despite Idalia impact
- An Ohio ballot measure seeks to protect abortion access. Opponents’ messaging is on parental rights
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- New details revealed about woman, sister and teen found dead at remote Colorado campsite
- This romcom lets you pick the ending — that doesn't make it good
- Pope praises Mongolia’s tradition of religious freedom from times of Genghis Khan at start of visit
Recommendation
South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
Midwestern 'paradise for outdoor enthusiasts': See Indiana's most unique estate for sale
Dozens killed in South Africa as fire guts building many homeless people had moved into
Grocery stores open Labor Day 2023: See Kroger, Publix, Aldi, Whole Foods holiday hours
$73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
Are Target, Costco, Walmart open on Labor Day? Store hours for Home Depot, TJ Maxx, more
Imprisoned for abortion: Many Rwandan women are now free but stigma remains
'Howdy Doody': Video shows Nebraska man driving with huge bull in passenger seat