by RBR Admin
Olivia Miller is the summer intern for RunBlogRun at the Olympic Trials. We have provided young writers and videographers real-life experience at major events for over a decade. Olivia is providing RunBlogRun a daily column and gets to experience the glorious chaos that is the US Olympic Trials mixed zone.
Olivia’s writing today is crisp, providing the reader with knowledge of events many do not ever read about. Our former editor, the late, great James Dunaway, would like Olivia’s writing as she keeps the words to a minimum.
Way back in 1996, Seb Coe, two time Olympic gold medalist at 1,500m, two time Olympic silver medalist at the 800m, told the late Sports Illustrated scribe, Kenny Moore (also a two time Olympian), that the Triple jump is the hardest event on the body in athletics. He was, and is, correct.
This is her day two-column.
Moore secures victory with a last-minute leap by Olivia Miller.
Keturah Orji was in the lead, but Jasmine Moore wasn’t done yet. Moore, who had been trailing in second place for the majority of the women’s triple jump final, took the lead with her sixth and last attempt, reaching a length of 14.26 meters to beat out veteran Keturah Orji’s previous jump of 14.22 meters. Tori Franklin remained consistent throughout the event, placing third with 13.72 meters.
All three women competed together in Tokyo and will be returning to the Olympics, vying for a spot on the podium.
Moore’s victory marks the second time she will attend the Games. The former Florida Gator will also compete in the women’s long jump later this week.
In the mixed zone, Moore reflected on the differences she expected this year compared to the Tokyo Games, which were restricted due to the pandemic.
“I think we’ll be able to interact and support one another a little bit more. I think the crowd and the energy will be even better, and that’s probably the most exciting thing for Paris.”
This will be 28-year-old Keturah Orji’s third and final Olympics. Earlier this year, she announced her intention to retire after this season.
Orji shared her new mindset going into the Games: “I think at the other Olympics, I was always focused on expectations, pressure, performing, but knowing that this is my last Olympics, I really just want to take everything in and enjoy everything that I can.”
In Rio, she came agonizingly close to the podium, finishing fourth and missing a medal by a mere 3 centimeters. Tokyo saw her reach the finals once again, where she placed seventh.
Now, for the last time, she will aim to cap off her career with an Olympic medal.
After the event, Orji expressed her conflicted emotions in the mixed zone.
“I was hoping to finish off with another U.S. title… I’m grateful but want more, so I’m looking forward to improving my distances when I get to Paris.”
The field for the Olympic triple jump competition has been shaken up by the absence of Venezuelan jumper Yulimar Rojas. The reigning gold medalist and current world record holder will be unable to defend her title due to an Achilles tendon injury, potentially opening up opportunities for other competitors.
Since its introduction to the Olympic Games in 1996 in Atlanta, no American woman has ever medaled in the triple jump. Is this the year the U.S. will finally break its medal drought in the women’s triple jump?
