Spain’s Jordan Diaz won the gold medal in the triple jump at the Paris Olympics last Friday, leading the competition with a distance of 17.86 meters to the top of the podium at the Stade de France. .
The Cuban-born Spaniard led the competition from the start with a first jump of 17.86 meters and went on to win the event by a long shot.
In the following jumps, although he felt good, he could not pass that mark, his best attempt was third at 17.85m. He even dropped the sixth to secure the victory.
It was then that he approached the stands, hugged coach Ivan Pedroso, lifted the Spanish flag and placed it on his back before approaching the giant bell that only the fans had the right to ring.
The second is Pedro Pichardo, a native of Cuba and a native of Portugal, with whom he has a strong rivalry. The 31-year-old veteran athlete was unable to beat Jordan, as was the case at the European Championships held in Rome two months ago, and retired with a best jump of 17.84 meters.
Third, with bronze, was Cuban-born Italian Andy Hernandez, who clocked 17.64, far from that battle between the two triple jump stars.
Jordan Diaz’s medal haul is the fourth in athletics at the Paris Olympics behind Spain’s Álvaro Martin and Maria Perez, who won gold in the medley relay, silver in the women’s 20km and bronze in the men’s 20km.