SAINT-DENIS, France (AP) — It may be hard to believe, but Jamaica, the Caribbean island known for its elite sprinters like Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, is now a major power in the sport of track and field.
Roje Stona’s gold in the discus on Wednesday gave Jamaica its fourth medal in the discipline at the 2024 Olympics – after winning just two medals previously. The country’s sprinters have won just one medal so far in Paris.
“For a country of three million people, that’s extremely impressive,” said three-time Olympic shot put champion Ryan Crouser, an American who witnessed Stona’s performance up close as his coach/training partner.
Stona set an Olympic record with his throw of 70 metres (229 feet, 8 inches). Earlier, Wayne Pinnock won silver in the men’s long jump and Shanieka Ricketts in the women’s triple jump, and Rajindra Campbell won bronze in the men’s shot put.
“We should support the field events more. Discus, shot put – I mean, everything,” said Stona, his country’s first discus thrower to win an Olympic medal. “Track gets a lot of attention, but the field events are underrated and we should get more support.”
Bolt, of course, has won the 100 and 200 meter sprint double and relay gold at three consecutive Olympic Games. Other Jamaican running stars include Fraser-Pryce, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Asafa Powell and Merlene Ottey.
Stona had a lot of support from Crouser on the sidelines. They have been working together for some time, exclusively since March.
Watching is much more stressful than competing, he said.
“When I’m out there competing, I at least feel like I have some control over my destiny,” Crouser said. “Sitting in the stands is much, much more nerve-wracking because you have just as much adrenaline but no outlet. Coaching is hard.”
When Stona, a 25-year-old who competed at Clemson and Arkansas, asked for advice, Crouser reminded him of one thing: “Push off with your left foot and stay loose.” He followed that instruction to the letter on his fourth throw, overtaking world-record holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania.
“He worked so hard for this,” Crouser said. “It was a good time to put it all together.”
Next up: possibly football. Stona expressed interest in playing in the NFL, and Crouser set him up for some visits. Stona participated in minicamps with the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints as a defensive end, Crouser said, but did not make the roster.
Stona considered whether he wanted to continue throwing or playing American football.
“I need to sleep on it,” he said.
But first it was time to celebrate – like Bolt always did.
“Jamaica can be proud now,” said Stona. “The field disciplines are now taking a step in the right direction. We are making good progress. We are winning medals.”
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