The long jump presser was mesmerizing. Three of the finest long jumpers in the world took medals, and still, some surprises. Not to see Ivana Spanovic up there, was a difference between the Serbian star and Tianna Baroletta, the Olympic champion, of one centimeter! Consider how small that is, kind readers!
Tianna Bartoletta, bronze medal, photo by PhotoRun.net
Brittney Reese put it all together, getting to 7.02 meters, and Dariya Klishina leaped her finest jump in six years with 7.00 meters.
Brittney Reese, photo by PhotoRun.net
Tianna Bartoletta was trying to get her steps down, and was not in the game until fifth jump. In her sixth, she took the bronze in 6.97m. Spanovic was at 6.96m.
I sensed that Tianna Bartoletta was having some frustration in the jumps and when she communicated that in the presser, I asked her if she realized how amazing it was for her to keep her cool and get into the medals.
Dariya Klishina, bronze medalist, long jump, photo by PhotoRun.net
After the presser, with her coach, Rana Reider, Tianna Bartoletta allowed herself to release the pent up emotion. An amazing competitor, Tianna Bartoletta, and also, human.
The long jump battles continue…
