Olympic medal winners from Ohio show their mettle
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Silver medalist Joe Kovacs celebrates following the men's shot put final in Paris. Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Ohioans put their pants on like everybody else, one leg at a time — except once their pants are on, they win Olympic medals.
Why it matters: Several competitors with Columbus-area ties dominated on the world's biggest stage.
- Some could have a chance to do it again on home turf when the Summer Olympics heads to Los Angeles in 2028.
Highlights from the Paris Games:
💪 Deja vu for Kovacs: Dublin's Joe Kovacs is no stranger to the Olympic podium, after winning silver medals in the shot put in 2016 and 2020.
- But his training schedule shifted after he and his wife (and coach) Ashley had twins in 2022.
The intrigue: The two practiced outside during naps with a baby monitor at the ready, AP reports, and the hard work paid off with a third-straight silver medal performance this year.
🥈 Laying down the hammer: Annette Nneka Echikunwoke, a Pickerington native, earned a silver medal in the hammer throw.
What she's saying: "I'm super excited," she told the International Olympic Committee's media relations team after her achievement.
- "It doesn't feel real right now. I can't really put it into words. I'm super excited. The first woman to medal [in hammer throw] for the U.S., it's really an honor and I'm grateful for the competition."
🤸♀️ The GOAT delivers: Columbus-born Simone Biles added four more gymnastics medals to her collection, with golds in the team all-around, individual all-around and vault plus a silver in the floor routine.
- Biles and other members of the U.S. gymnastics team will tour across the country this fall.
- Tickets are available for shows in Cleveland (Oct. 27) and Cincinnati (Nov. 2).
🏊 Buckeye swimmers dominate: Keana Hunter and Ruby Remati helped the artistic swimming team win a silver medal, while Hunter Armstrong won gold and silver in a pair of relay races.
What's next: Blake Haxton from Columbus (para-rowing) and Grace Norman from Jamestown (paratriathlon) will compete in the Paris Paralympic Games slated for Aug. 28-Sept. 8.