IU track and field alumnus Derek Drouin is no stranger to first place. The former NCAA Champion high jumper stood atop the podium once again at the Olympics, winning gold in the men’s high jump with a mark of 2.38m for team Canada.
This is the second Olympic medal for Drouin after he claimed bronze at the games in London in 2012. Drouin is the first Hoosier to win a gold medal in track and field since IU alumnus Greg Bell won the long jump 60 years ago and the eighth gold medalist in IU track and field history.
Drouin cleared all four of his jumps in the preliminary round Sunday night. The bar started at 2.17m and was eventually raised to 2.29m. Drouin cleared every height on his first attempt.
The Canadian stayed in his groove in the finals clearing the opening height of 2.20m on his first attempt. Drouin continued to clear his next three jumps including 2.29m, the height that won him bronze in London.
On his fifth jump of the finals, Drouin took the lead, clearing 2.36m. He then continued to be the only athlete to clear 2.38m, securing the gold medal for Team Canada.
Zain Pyarali
