Ricketts becomes the fifth San Diego State alum to win an Olympic medal
Silver medalist Shanieka Ricketts, of Jamaica reacts with gold medalist Thea LaFond of Dominica in the women’s triple jump.That’s how close Shanieka Ricketts came to a medal in the women’s triple jump three years ago in Tokyo, instead narrowly finishing fourth and experiencing what is known as the loneliest place in the Olympics.
“It is unbelievable how these tiny islands are cranking out such high-quality athletes,” LaFond said. “I’m so grateful for Julien, because I saw her get that gold and I was like, I’m getting a gold, too. I saw her get that gold and I was like, well, I’m getting my gold, too. She’s from Saint Thomas Parish, on Jamaica’s southeastern tip. Shortly after becoming SDSU’s track coach, Shelia Burrellto the island’s high school championships looking for talent. Then known as Shanieka Thomas, she finished fourth in the triple jump. She also wanted to be high jumper in college.
It helped that world-record holder and four-time world champion Yulimar Rojas of Venezuela was injured and not in Paris, and LaFord took advantage with a jump of 49 feet, 3½ inches in the second round. Ricketts went 48-9½ on her second attempt to climb into second place, where she stayed.“Going into an Olympics, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” said Ricketts, who is coached by her husband, Kerrylee Ricketts. “I was a favorite to medal and I had been jumping well.
The evening started well, with Ryan Crouser and Joe Kovacs going 1-2 in the shot put. Kovacs dramatically went from fourth to second on his final throw despite a slippery ring from unexpected evening rains.
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