PARIS, France — Oregon shot putter Ryan Crouser made history at the Paris Olympics final, as he was able to win his third Olympic gold medal and defend his title, with a throw of 22.90 meters, a season best for him.
His former high school, Sam Barlow in Gresham, held a watch party for him inside the auditorium.
"He’s a one-of-a-kind for sure," said Grant Miller, who is also a recent Sam Barlow graduate and placed first in the State OSAA 2023 Paralympics for shot put.
Miller told KGW's Daisy Caballero he looks up to him on a professional level.
"He is definitely an influence on me, and he definitely will have an influence on a lot of other people," said Miller. "When I was actually competing, he hit a new record, too. He hit like 77 feet in shot put, and I was like, 'He is going to keep doing this."
And that's exactly Crouser did: showing out from across the world.
"So, I knew of Ryan before he showed up at our youth camp," said Tom Johnson, who is the basketball coach at Sam Barlow.
Johnson said he actually coached Crouser many years ago and shared a few things that stuck with him from their interactions.
"What impressed me the most about Ryan was what a fast learner he was, how insightful he was and how humble he was," said Johnson.
And from one accomplishment to another, both Miller and Coach Johnson had this to say to Crouser:
"Just keep being you, man,” said Miller. “I mean, just keep breaking records and keep being you and putting a smile on people's faces."
"I would probably like to tell him just how proud I am of him as a person and for all the accolades he has gotten,” said Coach Johnson. “And [for] the way he has carried himself and represented, not only our country but our school."
Second to Crouser was fellow Team USA member Joe Kovacs who finished with a throw of 22.15 meters. Jamaica's Rajindra Campbell took the bronze with a throw of 22.15
In addition to Kovacs, fellow American Payton Otterdahl participated in the shot put final, finishing in fourth place throwing 22.03 meters.
Crouser won gold at both the 2016 Rio Games and the 2021 Tokyo Games with throws of 23.3 meters in Tokyo, setting an Olympic world record and 22.52 meters in Rio.
He is now the only shot put thrower in history to win three Olympic gold medals in the event.
Crouser, who was born in Boring, Ore., and attended Sam Barlow High School, is the current world record holder when his throw went 23.56 meters in 2023. Crouser committed to throw for the University of Texas, where he won multiple national titles before turning pro.
Leading up to the 2024 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials, Crouser was dealing with a torn pectoral muscle and had not thrown in three months. Despite that, Crouser finished first, securing his spot in his third straight Olympic Games for the U.S.
