by Deji Ogeyingbo
Sam Kendricks is one of the most articulate and talented athletes I have enjoyed observing in my 45 years in the sport. In Tokyo, I watched from afar as Sam was quarantined. In the 2024 Olympic Trials, I feared Sam might not compete in Paris, but his father/coach convinced one of our most resilient athletes to give it his all. Sam Kendricks makes Mondo Duplantis do his best each time they compete. They respect each other. This piece was done on one of our favorite American athletes, Deji Ogeyingbo, who spoke to this class act, Olympic bronze and silver medalist Sam Kendricks!
Sam Kendricks and the Olympics- what happened?
Sam Kendricks knows heartbreak. He also knows redemption.
Kendricks stood on the second step of the Olympic podium in Paris, the silver medal around his neck gleaming under the lights of the Stade de France. For most athletes, this would be the pinnacle of a career. For Kendricks, it was something much more profound: vindication.
Three years earlier, Kendricks’s Olympic journey seemed cursed. In Tokyo, he didn’t even make it to the runway. A positive COVID-19 test isolated him, robbing him of his chance to compete. The sting of that moment lingered for years, shadowing his training and sparking questions about whether he would ever return to the sport’s grandest stage.
But in Paris, Kendricks silenced those doubts with a performance equal to skill and defiance. He cleared 5.95m, his best jump of the season, to claim silver in a competition that showcased not only his resilience but also the unstoppable dominance of Sweden’s Armand “Mondo” Duplantis, who soared to gold with an Olympic-record 6.10m.
Tokyo’s Bitter Blow
Kendricks was no stranger to the pressure of the Olympics. He had already earned bronze in Rio in 2016, a performance that solidified him as one of the world’s top vaulters. Heading into Tokyo in 2021, he was seen as a medal favorite.
But just days before he was set to compete, disaster struck. A mandatory COVID-19 test came back positive, forcing him into quarantine. Healthy yet helpless, Kendricks could do nothing but watch as the Olympic pole vault final unfolded without him.
“To sit there, knowing you’ve done everything right, knowing you’re ready, and then be told you can’t compete, it was crushing,” Kendricks recalled. “It took me a long time to release that anger.”
For a while, it seemed like he might not come back. The disappointment drained his passion, and injuries began to pile up. But the fire never entirely went out.
When the U.S. Olympic Trials rolled around earlier this year, Kendricks returned to his old self, winning the event with a meet-record jump. The victory secured his ticket to Paris and set the stage for his redemption arc.
The Mondo Factor
While Kendricks’ story was one of perseverance, Armand Duplantis ultimately dominated the men’s pole vault final in Paris.
The 24-year-old Swede, often called a “freak of nature,” has redefined what’s possible in the sport. Duplantis combines explosive athleticism with technical precision, breaking world records almost as often as he competes.
In Paris, he was untouchable. After clinching gold, Duplantis pushed himself further, clearing 6.10 meters to set a new Olympic record. The ease with which he vaulted left the crowd and his competitors in awe.
“Mondo is the standard right now,” Kendricks said. “You can’t help but admire what he’s doing, even if you’re the guy chasing him.”
Blood and Grit in Paris
Kendricks’ journey to silver wasn’t without drama. Midway through the competition, as he prepared for his first attempt at 6.0m, a misstep on the runway caused his spikes to puncture his hand. Blood streamed down his arm, but he didn’t let it distract him.
“I’ve got sharp spikes and soft hands,” he joked afterward, displaying the bandaged wounds. “It’s not the first time and won’t be the last.”
Though he fell short of clearing 6.0m, Kendricks’ earlier jumps were enough to secure second place. As he landed on the mat after his 5.95m clearance, he pumped his fist, a mix of relief and triumph written across his face.
The silver medal marked his best Olympic result and was a powerful reminder of what he could achieve.
A Complicated Love Story
Kendricks has always had a complicated relationship with the Olympics. From the highs of Rio to the heartbreak of Tokyo and now the redemption of Paris, his journey has been anything but smooth.
“The Olympics and I have had our ups and downs,” Kendricks said with a wry smile. “But I keep coming back because there’s nothing else like it. It’s where you find out who you really are.”
Off the track, Kendricks is as grounded as they come. A devout Christian, husband, father, and officer in the U.S. Army Reserve, he balances the pressures of elite competition with a life steeped in faith and family.
When asked what keeps him going, Kendricks didn’t hesitate. “It’s about showing my kids that you don’t give up. No matter what knocks you down, you get up and fight.”
