Auto horns blared and even some fireworks could be heard in Corunna Tuesday night after hometown hero Derek Drouin won the gold medal in men’s high jump at the Rio games.
Advertisement
Drouin, who is from Corunna, south of Sarnia, is the first Canadian in 84 years to win athletics medals in back-to-back Olympics.
With the Olympic record being 2.39 meters, set by Austin Charles of the U.S.in 1996, Drouin made one attempt at 2.40 meters following Bondarenko’s failed attempt with the gold medal sewn up.
“It feels pretty sweet”, Drouin said.
Drouin, 26, won with a jump of 2.38m.
“But the last couple of days I have been feeling so, so confident – I was coming out here to win gold”.
“I’m sure people are going pretty insane back home”, added the 26-year-old, who won bronze in London four years ago.
For his part, Drouin had previously earned 2015 world champion status and was the gold medal victor at the Pan Am Games.
“We want it to be a community event just like it was when he won the bronze and I know everybody wants to be involved in that celebration”.
The Germans will play No. 6 Sweden in Friday’s final at the storied Maracana in Rio.
2012 Olympic silver medalist Erik Kynard of the United States, wearing patriotic high socks, finished sixth. Brianne Theisen-Eaton won bronze in the heptathlon, while Andre De Grasse raced to bronze in the 100.
Andre De Grasse competes in the Men’s 200m heat during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 16, 2016.
“Four years ago I was very, very relieved but I didn’t think it was my best day”.
Meanwhile, Johnathan Cabral of Peribonka, Que. will hope to make it into medal contention by racing in the semifinals in the 110-metre hurdles.
Advertisement
Calgary’s Allison Beveridge placed 11th in women’s track cycling omnium.
