Tears flowed for both Nina Kennedy and Katie Moon when the WC victory was a fact. After a competition lasting several hours, the Australian and the American agreed to share the gold. By then both had jumped over 4.90 meters in the pole vault and had three clears of 4.95. – She didn’t say anything, but I was able to read what she meant from her facial expression, Moon tells news. After trying to clear 4.95 meters in the pole vault during the World Athletics Championships, Australian Nina Kennedy and American Katie Moon decided to share the gold. Her body language was also evident after a grueling competition. – Nina asked if I was sure. “Yes, please, let’s share,” I said. It was amazing. As a result, they were able to climb together on the top step of the podium, each with a gold medal around their necks. However, the reactions afterwards have not been as pleasant. TOP: Katie Moon and Nina Kennedy both return home with gold from Budapest. Photo: AFP Receiving hate messages At the Tokyo Olympics, high jumpers Mutaz Barshim and Gianmarco Tamberi decided to share the gold. After a similar episode in the WC, it is debated whether the competitive element disappears when the athletes make such decisions. – Do the fans like it when you share the gold? If you think yes, my second question is: Will you like it if it becomes more common? writes athletics legend Michael Johnson on Twitter/X. – The athletes should not be allowed to decide on shared gold, writes Michael Gleeson in a comment in the Sydney Morning Herald. EXPERT: Michael Johnson works for the BBC during the World Cup. Photo: AFP The messages Moon has received on social media after the gold show that many are not satisfied. The pole vaulter says that she has received many angry and hateful messages on social media in recent days. – I would like to help enlighten those who call us “cowards”, “shameful” and “pathetic”, begins Moon in a longer post on Twitter/X. Fighting back Moon explains that her ledge got further and further away from the pit as the competition went on. According to her, it was an indication that she was tired, which could make it more dangerous to float several meters up in the air. – Being able to leave the competition healthy and injured, and celebrate with a friend, was an easy choice to make. Part of the reason we have reached the top is that we are able to listen to our bodies. STAR: Katie Moon in action during the WC. Photo: AP Moon understands that people want one winner, but reminds that it is possible to injure yourself badly in the pole vault if the body is not ready for the forces a jump entails. – In this case, it was undoubtedly the right decision. You don’t have to have a “do everything to win” mindset to have a winning mentality, she believes. Believes the criticism is wrong Moon is supported by news’s athletics commentator Christina Vukicevic Demidov. She followed the pole vault competition closely from the stands in Budapest. Vukicevic Demidov recalls that both Moon and Kennedy jumped season bests and delivered a fantastic competition. – It is important to remember that they are individualists, and none of them go into the championship thinking that I want to share this medal. They want to win, all athletes do. But this was a very special situation. COMMENTATOR: Christina Vukicevic Demidov. Photo: Sigmund Sagberg Andersen / news – If people had been inside this track and competed… It’s hot, there’s nerves, it’s the whole atmosphere. That the two choose to share a gold, I think is not problematic, says the commentator. – I want to cry Kennedy confirms to news that there were two exhausted women who agreed that two golds was the right thing to do. Moon was both an Olympic and World Cup winner from before, but for Kennedy it was a historic moment. Her biggest day as an athlete. Photo: AFP – I feel like crying. There are a lot of emotions and it will probably take a few days for it to dawn on me. I am “on top of the moon” right now, she grinned in the press zone. – Or should we say the same with Moon? wondered news’s reporter. – Haha, yes, exactly the same with Moon. Katie has been one of my idols for a long time. To share it with someone like her is an honor and a privilege. Now there is a bond between us for the rest of our lives.
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Katie Moon and Nina Kennedy are teased after sharing the WC gold – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
