derek drouin receives long-awaited olympic silver medal
canadian high jumper derek drouin was belatedly awarded an olympic silver medal in a ceremony friday at the paris games.
aug 9 2024
2 minute read
derek drouin, right, of canada is awarded the silver medal and erik kynard of the united states is awarded the gold medal for high jump from the 2012 london games during a medal reallocation ceremony at the olympic games paris 2024 at champions park on aug. 9, 2024, in paris, france. (pascal le segretain/getty images)
paris — canadian high jumper derek drouin was belatedly awarded an olympic silver medal in a ceremony friday at the paris games.
drouin, of corunna, stood alongside american erik kynard, who was awarded the gold in the same event, as the two had their medals placed around their necks 12 years after the original performances.
kynard and drouin were originally awarded silver and bronze at the 2012 london olympics, but were both upgraded after russia’s ivan ukhov was stripped of the gold for a doping violation.
“while this is certainly not the way any athlete dreams of receiving an olympic medal, long-awaited reallocations like this display the continuous fight our governing bodies are undertaking to ensure the olympic arena is a fair and honest environment,” drouin said in a statement. “i consider this a step in the right direction to ensuring a future where fewer athletes who dope squeeze through the cracks so that moments don’t continue to be stolen from deserving athletes.
“i feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to stand on the podium in london, as it is a moment in my career that i will never forget. however, i’m pained for the athletes who have been denied the opportunity to listen to their own national anthem while standing atop the podium.”
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drouin was one of 10 olympians who were presented with so-called “reallocated” medals during the ceremony at the space known as champions park at the trocadero venue in paris.
derek drouin of canada is awarded the silver medal for high jump from the 2012 london olympic games during a medal reallocation ceremony at the olympic games paris 2024 at champions park on aug. 9, 2024, in paris, france. (pascal le segretain/getty images)
“it’s a pleasure to be here, in paris, with team canada,” drouin said. “i am excited to celebrate the incredible current athletes as they live out their own olympic journeys while getting the chance to relive part of my own. i am grateful that the ioc has created this opportunity for athletes affected by doping in sport.”
the international olympic committee confirmed in 2021 that drouin would retroactively receive the silver along with mutaz essa barshim of qatar and robert grabarz of great britain, who tied his score.
drouin went on to win a gold medal in the high jump at the rio olympics in 2016 and is now retired from the sport. he was canada’s first olympic champion in an athletics field event since duncan mcnaughton won the high jump in 1932.
“derek has always represented canada as a champion and it is so appropriate he receives his upgraded medal here in paris at this spectacular champions park,” canadian olympic committee president tricia smith said in a statement. “derek has always made canada proud. this silver only adds to the brilliance of his career while highlighting why clean sport and integrity are so important.”
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drouin is scheduled to be inducted into the ontario sports hall of fame and the sarnia-lambton sports hall of fame two days apart in october.
his personal-best jump of 2.40 metres in 2014 still stands as the canadian record. only six men have ever jumped higher.
“derek had an outstanding career representing canada proudly, this silver medal only adds to his legacy as canada’s greatest high jumper,” athletics canada ceo mathieu gentes said in a statement. “this reallocation at paris 2024 is not just a correction but a moment of long-overdue recognition. it highlights the enduring spirit of fair play and perseverance that defines the olympic movement.”
– files from mark malone
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