In Paris, the American became the first shot putter to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals.
PARIS. – If I reach my goal in the shot put by the Tokyo Olympics, I plan to become a discus thrower for the years 2021–24. It is possible that I will compete in both sports already in Tokyo.
Thus Ryan Crouser stated In an interview with Ilta-Sanomi in 2017 referring to the target by Randy Barnes to break the world record of 23.12. In the following years, Crouser knocked record readings several times, but ME let himself wait four years.
When Crouser finally pushed ME 23.37 in the US Olympic qualifiers, he could still have tried the puck scenario he had painted – the domestic qualifier Tokyo Olympic puck wasn’t until the following week.
Since then, Crouser has been undefeated in the shot put and improved his ME to 23.56. At the same time, talk of switching to discus throwing has dissipated.
The straight ball championships that started in Tokyo as a continuation of the 2022 and 2023 World Cups were completed at the Stade de France stadium on Saturday. Crouser pushed to become the Olympic champion with a result of 22.90 and became the first shot putter to achieve three straight Olympic victories (Rio 2016, Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024).
Although the 31-year-old Crouser has achieved everything in his sport, he still has the power to chase victories. Crouser admitted after the competition in the interview area that he plans to aim for a fourth consecutive gold medal in Los Angeles in four years. However, it is no longer enough on its own.
– I’m unlikely to switch completely to a discus thrower, but I’m going to try the sport in the next few years, Crouser told .
– The year 2026 is a year in between the prestigious competitions (no Olympics and no World Championships), when it is possible to try the puck. However, I am in the twilight of my career. Then you have to stick to your strengths.
For Crouser, switching to discus would not be a leap into the unknown. The record he threw in 2014 is 63.90, which does not qualify for a medal in the prestigious competitions, but which has often been enough for the final.
It is by no means out of the question that Crouser will be seen in four years pursuing success in the shot put and discus. Dutch Rutger Smith is the previous man to have won a medal in both sports at the same Games. This happened at the 2007 World Championships in Osaka, where Smith won two bronze medals.
However, Crouser admitted that a discus medal is not a mandatory goal.
– My goal is to win the fourth consecutive ball gold in Los, but also a medal and even just participating would be great achievements. Wrapping up a career in front of a home crowd would be a dream come true, Crouser said.
See how the men’s shot put slipped during the final: