Kynard originally took home silver in 2012
MANHATTAN, Kan. (K-State Athletics) – In front of the Eiffel Tower on Friday (Aug. 9) afternoon in Paris, Erik Kynard received his gold medal in a reallocation ceremony for his performance at the 2012 London Olympics.
In London, a 21-year-old Kynard cleared a height of 2.33m/7-7.75 but was surpassed by Russian Ivan Ukhov with a clearance of 2.38m/7-9.75, two inches higher, for gold.
In November 2021, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Kynard’s original silver medal would be upgraded after a 2019 ruling disqualified all of Ukhov’s results from 2012 to 2014 for the use of illegal doping substances.
“We are very pleased for Erik that the IOC finally approved reallocating medals for the men’s high jump at the 2012 London Olympic Games resulting in Erik being awarded the gold medal,” former Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Cliff Rovelto said in 2021. “We have always viewed Erik’s performance in London as he won the silver, not that he lost the gold. He competed very well in the Olympic final.”
Fellow podium finisher, Canada’s Derek Drouin, was also present in Paris to receive an upgraded medal from bronze to silver. In the three-way tie for bronze, Great Britain’s Robert Grabarz and Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim also receive silver medals.
After 2012, Kynard continued to represent Team USA. At the 2016 Rio Olympics he finished 6th with a height of 2.33m. At the 2021 U.S. Olympic Trials, he finished 4th, one spot short of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympic Games. He has since retired from high jump but continues to work with USA Track and Field.
Kynard has been added to the list of K-State Olympians, the third American, to earn a gold medal, along with Thane Baker (400 meter relay, 1956), Kenny Harrison (triple jump, 1996) and most recently Eugene Omalla (4×400 mixed relay, NED) on August 3 at the Paris Olympics.
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