It’s finale time at Stade de France and USA’s Olympian Sam Kendricks is fighting it out for gold! Up against 12 phenoms in the ultimate round of pole vault, it’s literally about ‘scaling to the highest’ mark for him. But, the stage, the pressure, and the sport- the two-time world champion is well acquainted with it all. Having brought a bronze home from Rio in 2016, he is surely looking to upgrade his metal this time around. And having made it through to the finals with a qualification height of 5.75m, the U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant is one to watch out for in the finals.

The 6’1 athlete is originally from Oxford, and at 31, is touted to make a podium finish. Starting from 2015 to 2019, he competed at the worlds every year, winning gold in 2017 and 2019. Slipping narrowly in 2016 and 2018, he had to settle for silver. But as he steps into the finals, he will have a ‘tall’ challenge ahead of him. Mainly, he will have to fend off his competitors, mainly the defending gold medalist Mondo Duplantis. But given his years of experience, starting from the NCAA level, when he was crowned the outdoor champion in 2013 and 2014, his resume is quite decorated. But can he glide past the bar?

The 79 kgs pole vaulter seems to have the weight of the nation’s expectations on him. And the newest wave of it perhaps hit him after he qualified for the Olympics at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials in Eugene. Qualifying by an unreached standard, 5.92m, the newest Olympic trails record, he looked in great shape to clinch a medal. However, a shroud of uncertainty surrounded his representation of the red, white, blue USA colors at Paris.

To an extent that Kendricks said in June 2024, “I don’t like the Olympics. The Olympics screwed me. Everybody at Team USA left me behind. I don’t have any respect for the team. They just left me in Tokyo. If I make the team, I might not go.” But what pushed him to this bitter state?

Sam Kendricks’ Tokyo heartbreak, one that he is looking to reverse

In pole vaulting, it comes down to the narrowest of margins at times. One such ‘almost there‘ moment for him came in 2021. Just before he was eyeing to compete in the Japanese capital, Kendricks tested positive for COVID-19. And he was subsequently asked to leave the Olympic village. Moreover, the US Olympic committee left him off, after his results came in as positive. It was like his world came crushing down. However, Kendricks opined that he had no symptoms of the disease and suspected that the results were false.

And what upset him more was that they were unapologetic about it. As per the Washington Post, he had said, “It won’t mean anything if I don’t make the squad. But it is expository to say it. Why should I go? They left me behind and never even said, ‘I was sorry.'” But in June this year, he flipped the table completely. He said, “I’m still hot and heated about 2021.” But, he had decided to still go to the Olympics. Well, it’s only understandable that when such a momentous opportunity knocks at the door, not many can say no. But can he have his redemption moment in Paris? Let us know what you think.