Valerie Allman is back at the top of the discus world.
The American won her second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the discus on Monday, after winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
She threw 69.50 meters on her fourth throw, beating out the world’s top female discus throwers, putting her comfortably ahead of eventual silver medalist Bin Feng of China and bronze medalist Sandra Elcasebi of Croatia, who both threw 67.51 meters.
She became the first American woman to win two gold medals in the event.
All four of Allman’s non-foul pitches surpassed Fenn’s best pitches during the tournament.
2024 Paris Olympics
“I’m very happy, very pleased and grateful with how the competition has gone,” Allman told Irish broadcaster RTE Sport. “The discus has such a strong field at the moment that I couldn’t believe it was happening until it was over. I can’t believe I’m leaving as champion.”
Her second-best throw of the day was her final one, where she tossed 69.21 meters to win the gold medal and fly into the arms of her coach, Zebulon Xiong.
In Allman’s hometown of Longmont, Colorado, a viewing party was being planned at her alma mater, Silver Springs High School.
Former track and field coaches and fans watched with bated breath every one of the 29-year-old’s throws.
Allman’s track and field beginnings are the stuff of Olympic legend.
She originally dreamed of becoming a dancer, but began track and field during her first year of high school at the urging of her older brother.
After trying out a few competitions, Allman decided to try out for the discus because she wanted to attend the throwing team’s annual spaghetti dinner.
But to receive the invitation, she had to compete in one of the throwing events, and so she ended up trying out the discus.
“It was the best spaghetti I’ve ever had,” Allman said during a visit to Silver Springs High School in 2023, according to the Longmont Leader.
