Erik Kynard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Erik Kynard

Erik Kynard, London 2012
Personal information
Born	(1991-02-03) February 3, 1991 (age 34) Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
Height	6 ft 4 in
Weight	188 lb
Sport
Country	United States
Sport	Track and field
Event(s)	High Jump
College team	Kansas State University
Turned pro	2013
Coached by	Cliff Rovelto
Retired	2021
Medal record Men's athletics Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2012 London High jump World Indoor Championships Bronze 2014 Sopot High jump Bronze 2016 Portland High jump

Erik Kynard Jr. (born February 3, 1991) is an American track and field athlete. He is known for competing in the high jump event. At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, when he was 21 years old, he won a silver medal. This medal was later changed to a gold medal in 2021. This happened because the original winner, Ivan Ukhov, was found to have broken competition rules.

Erik Kynard was born in 1991. He grew up in a big family with nine brothers and sisters. He went to Rogers High School in Toledo, Ohio. Later, he studied at Kansas State University. There, he trained with coach Cliff Rovelto. Erik jumps off his right leg when he competes.

Early Career and College Success

Erik Kynard showed great talent from a young age. When he was just 17, he tried out for the U.S. Olympic Team in 2008. He didn't make the team that year, but it was a valuable experience.

While at Kansas State University, Erik became a top college athlete. He won the NCAA outdoor national championship in the high jump twice. He achieved these wins in both 2011 and 2012.

Olympic Journey and Gold Medal

Making the Olympic Team

In 2012, Erik Kynard competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials. He jumped 2.28 meters (about 7 feet, 5.7 inches). This impressive jump earned him second place. By finishing second, he secured his spot on the U.S. Olympic team.

London 2012 Performance

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Erik Kynard performed very well. He cleared a height of 2.33 meters (about 7 feet, 7.7 inches). This jump won him a silver medal. During the competition, Erik was easy to spot. He wore special tube socks with American flag designs.

Gold Medal Upgrade

In February 2019, an important announcement was made. The results of Ivan Ukhov, the original gold medalist, were canceled. This was due to rule violations from July 2012 to December 2015. Because of this, Erik Kynard became the rightful gold medalist for the 2012 London Olympics.

On August 9, 2024, Erik Kynard finally received his upgraded gold medal. The ceremony took place at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. When a reporter asked if this moment made him feel "whole," Erik gave a thoughtful reply. He said, "I would not sum it up as making me whole for what I lost...It's like I told a joke 12 years ago, and the world just now is starting to get it."

Career Highlights and Personal Bests

After the 2012 Olympics, Erik Kynard continued to compete. In 2013, he set a world-leading mark of 2.34 meters (about 7 feet, 8 inches). He achieved this at the Mt SAC Relays.

He also won the high jump title at the United States Outdoor National Championships twice. He won in 2014 and again in 2015. In 2015, he tied his personal best jump of 2.37 meters (7 feet, 9.25 inches). This also matched the meet record.

Erik Kynard officially retired from competing in 2021.

Major Competition Results

Erik Kynard represented the United States in many big competitions:

Year	Competition	Venue	Position	Event	Notes
Representing the  United States
2008	World Junior Championships	Bydgoszcz, Poland	19th (q)	High jump	2.10 m
2009	Pan American Junior Championships	Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago	2nd	High jump	2.10 m
2011	World Championships	Daegu, South Korea	14th (q)	High jump	2.28 m
	Universiade	Shenzhen, China	13th	High jump	2.15 m
2012	Olympic Games	London, United Kingdom	1st	High jump	2.33 m
2013	World Championships	Moscow, Russia	5th	High jump	2.32 m
2014	World Indoor Championships	Sopot, Poland	3rd	High jump	2.34 m
2015	World Championships	Beijing, China	8th	High jump	2.25 m
2016	World Indoor Championships	Portland, United States	3rd	High jump	2.33 m
	Olympic Games	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil	6th	High jump	2.33 m
2017	World Championships	London, United Kingdom	–	High jump	NM
2018	World Indoor Championships	Birmingham, United Kingdom	4th	High jump	2.29 m

Best Jumps

Here are Erik Kynard's personal bests in the high jump:

See also

In Spanish: Erik Kynard para niños