Gold medalist Tara Davis-Woodhall (L) and bronze medalist Jasmine Moore (R) of Team USA celebrate after the women’s long jump final on Aug. 8 in Paris.
The United States has claimed two of the three medals in the women’s long jump event, with Tara Davis-Woodhall earning the gold and Jasmine Moore capturing the bronze.
This marks Davis-Woodhall’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, while Moore has secured her inaugural long jump podium finish. Moore also earned a bronze medal in the women’s triple jump on Saturday, which was the first-ever medal for the United States in that event. The American team’s dominant performances continue the country’s longstanding success in track and field competitions.
“Is this real? Am I dreaming?,” an exuberant Davis-Woodhall said after her winning jump. “Pinch me. I’m so stoked. I’ve gone through hell and back, faced everything you can imagine. When I found out that I was jumping at 8pm on 8th of August, I knew it was perfect.”
Davis-Woodhall, who is married to fellow athlete Hunter Woodhall, who will compete in the Paralympics, has been open about her mental health struggles.
“I never let anything get me down. I tried so hard to just keep on being positive this year, keep on being motivated. That motivation turned into manifestation, and manifestation turned into reality, and the reality is I’m an Olympic gold medalist,” she said.
Moore, thrilled with her bronze medal performance, expressed her surprise and delight.
“I’m in shock. This is not what I pictured, but it’s so much better,” she said.
“Honestly, after the triple jump, not feeling the best, the qualification was a little tough. I was just tired the whole time. And my body just got better each and each day. I’m just so over the moon, so thankful.”