Emma Twigg secured New Zealand's fourth rowing medal to see us top if the table per capita. Video / Chereè Kinnear / Getty / Photosport
Tom Walsh didn’t want to die wondering.
Walsh, who claimed bronze at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021, thinks he tore his abductor or hip flexor during his second throw of the men’s shot put final at Stade de France this morning but threw a third time to see if he could pull it off.
He was seen grabbing his upper left leg and limping after the throw. He attempted to stretch and assess the issue but was unable to continue. He made a final attempt in the circle, which resulted in a third consecutive foul, leading him to call it quits.
Speaking to the Herald’s Michael Burgess afterwards, Walsh revealed he noticed his leg was stiff lately but today he had “done a number on it.
“I’ve been finding some wee niggles in there for the last month and knew that it [getting injured] was a possibility but I gave it a go,” he said. “I wanted to commit to the throws. I committed to the two throws that I was somewhat healthy on, and then I thought, f*** it, give it a go on the last one because I don’t wat to be sitting back there tonight wondering if I could have.
Tom Walsh won't medal after an injury in the shot put final. Photo / Getty Images
“[I felt it] just before release on that second throw. I’ve done it a few times before so I knew what I had done. It’s definitely been getting better the last couple of months. But when we’re out there doing what we do, we’re pushing the limit and we always know that there is a chance of that stuff happening. I’m just proud of myself that I committed to the throws that I had.
“I still thought that I had a chance to come out here and throw really well today. I threw well yesterday and I wanted to commit to some throws, and that’s what I did. The body just didn’t play ball. But I’ll be back, don’t worry about that.”
After withdrawing, Walsh received hugs from his fellow competitors.
Fellow compatriot Jacko Gill finished in sixth with his third throw his longest, reaching 21.15m.
Two-time defending Olympic gold medallist Ryan Crouser went on to win the event with a throw of 22.90m.
Crouser’s gold medal collection now includes victories from Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021), and now Paris 2024. Crouser’s compatriot, Joe Kovacs, finished in second place with a distance of 22.15m.
Crouser’s dominance was evident from the start as he unleashed a massive opening heave of 22.64m, setting the tone for the competition. He extended his lead with each attempt, culminating in his season’s-best throw of 22.90m. Despite facing challenges from the rain and recording two no-throws in the later rounds, Crouser had already secured the gold.
Meanwhile, Rajindra Campbell made history by becoming the first Jamaican athlete to win a shot put medal at the Olympics. Campbell claimed the bronze with a best throw of 22.15m, sharing the same distance as Kovacs.
Hear it as it happens with live commentary of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on GOLD SPORT & iHeartRadio, plus comprehensive coverage on Newstalk ZB.
