August 2, 2024; Paris, France; Ryan Krauser (USA) during the men's shot put qualifying event at the Stade de France at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports PARIS — American Ryan Crouser became the first man to win three consecutive Olympic shot put titles on Saturday, adding a gold medal to his trophy cabinet with a stunning throw of 22.90 meters. .
His compatriot Joe Kovac won silver and Jamaica's Rajendra Campbell won bronze.
World record holder Krauser, who has battled nerve problems in his elbow this year but had no problems at the Stade de France, hit his best shot of the season on his third try and applauded with satisfaction.
The victory underscores Team USA's dominance in the event, which has now won 20 Olympic gold medals in the men's shot put. The second closest country is Poland with 3 countries.
A two-time world champion, Krauser clapped and cheered as he scored 22.64 on his first shot, which was enough to get him on the podium.
Crowther, 31, urged the crowd before his second attempt and pumped his fist after posting 22.69 points. Fans erupted when he improved that tally for a third time, following gold medals in Rio and Tokyo.
Midway through the game, it started to rain and several players slipped, including Crowther, who fouled out on his next two attempts and missed on his sixth throw, sealing the gold medal.
Kovac was fourth in the standings when he took the podium in dramatic fashion, clocking 22.15 on his final attempt.
——Reuters, special report by on-site media