Valarie Allman has done it again, proving herself to be an unstoppable force in the world of discus throwing. On Monday, under the dazzling lights of the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, France, Allman made history by defending her Olympic gold medal. In doing so, she became the first American woman ever to win two gold medals in discus at the world’s most prestigious sporting event.
In a thrilling showcase of athletic prowess, Allman’s journey to gold was nothing short of spectacular. The 29-year-old Olympian had a bit of a shaky start with her first throw veering out of bounds. But true to form, Allman quickly regained her composure. With her second throw, she launched the discus an impressive 68.74 meters, catapulting her into the lead—a position she would firmly hold for the remainder of the competition. The drama of the event was palpable as her third throw reached 68.06 meters. However, it was her fourth throw that truly set the tone, landing a remarkable 69.50 meters and creating a substantial gap between her and the rest of the field.
Despite a no-throw on her fifth attempt that elicited a brief moment of frustration, Allman’s previous performances were more than enough to secure her top spot. The competition’s field could only watch as she continued to dominate. China’s Bin Feng, who had previously outperformed Allman at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, clinched the silver with a throw of 67.51 meters. Meanwhile, Croatia’s Sandra Elkasević, a seasoned Olympic gold medalist from London and Rio de Janeiro, snagged the bronze with a matching distance of 67.51 meters. Elkasević, however, fell to third place after Feng’s superior second-best throw edged her out.
The intensity of the moment reached a crescendo after Feng and Elkasević made their final attempts. With Allman’s victory sealed, she took full advantage of the crowd’s enthusiasm and delivered yet another breathtaking throw, this time measuring 69.21 meters. The scene was electric as Allman sprinted across the track, leaping into the embrace of her coach and boyfriend, Zebulon Sion. Her jubilation didn’t stop there. She made her way to the bronze bell stationed trackside, kissed it, and rang it with all the excitement of her triumph, all while draping the American flag around her shoulders.
In a heartwarming display of familial support, Allman shared a touching moment with her parents and her brother Kevin, who was accompanied by his wife and child. These emotional celebrations underscored the significance of her achievement, marking a personal and professional milestone.
Allman’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as she becomes only the third woman in Olympic history to retain her discus title. Joining the ranks of Sandra Elkasević and East Germany’s Evelin Jahl, who won gold in 1976 and 1980, Allman’s success further solidifies her place in Olympic history. Before the Paris Games, she was already a standout, entering the competition with the top 13 discus marks ever achieved by an American woman and being the only American female athlete to medal in multiple World Athletics Championships.
Her victory is a testament to her remarkable career, which includes Olympic gold medals and unmatched performances in discus throwing. The only other American women to have won Olympic gold in this event are Lillian Copeland, who triumphed in Los Angeles in 1932, and Stephanie Brown Trafton, who secured gold in Beijing in 2008.
In summary, Valarie Allman’s gold medal defense in Paris not only adds to her illustrious career but also sets a new benchmark in the world of discus throwing. Her journey from a rocky start to a commanding victory illustrates not just her skill and strength but also her unwavering determination and passion for the sport.
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