The China Mail - Dramatic jump-off sees 'Flying Kiwi' Kerr win Olympic high jump gold

Kerr and McEwen both managed bests of 2.36 metres in regular competition, but could not be separated on countback of missed jumps.

They opted for a jump-off, Kerr clearing 2.34m when the American failed after the bar was lowered from 2.38 to 2.36m.

"I was just in shock. Both me and Shelby were getting a little bit tired after all the jumps we took," said Kerr.

"I knew I had a good one in me, and I knew that if I could get it up sooner rather than later, then I could just finish the comp and start recovering."

There was a hint of deja vu at the Stade de France as Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim had shared Olympic gold with Italian Gianmarco Tamberi in the Covid-hit Tokyo Games three years ago.

"That has such a special place in history for high jumps," Kerr said.

"To have an exact same scenario this time around, but to choose to do the jump-off, was putting at peace some of those people who wanted to jump-off, so we're both really happy to add to that history."

The discussion Kerr and McEwen shared with officials was short and to the point: both athletes wanted to continue, there was to be no shared gold.

When McEwen missed his attempt at 2.34m in the jump-off, world indoor champion Kerr had his chance and took it with aplomb.

"High jump's always a roller coaster, there's always guys who will miss and then clear, and then miss," Kerr said.

"The big thing that we've been working on personally, and me and my team, is it's not over until it's over.

"In the past, I probably got into the habit of watching those guys a little bit, whereas now I wouldn't even know what's going on, I just focus on myself."

Barshim took bronze with a best of 2.34m, but Tamberi had a night to forget, finishing 11th in the 12-strong field with a best jump of 2.22m.

G.Fung--ThChM