Shot putter Ryan Crouser makes incredible Olympics history

He's the first Olympian to win the shot put three times. 

Crouser won handily in Paris. Three of his throws in the six-round event would have been good enough to win gold, but his best came on his third attempt when he reached 22.90 meters. 

In 2021, he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics with a throw of 23.30m. He also came in first in Brazil in 2016 with a throw of 22.52m.

Last year, Crouser set the world record for the shot put (23.56m) at the USATF Los Angeles Grand Prix

Crouser, 31, is also a four-time NCAA shot put champion from his time at the University of Texas.

His Paris gold medal is arguably the most impressive in his long line of hardware.

Crouser battled a damaged ulnar nerve and torn pectoral earlier this year and didn't throw in an outdoor shot put event this year until June.

Per Salem Statesman Journal's Jarrid Denney, Crouser revealed he suffered his elbow injury at the 2024 Glasgow World Indoor Championships, where he won gold, on March 1.

"Elbow stuff for a shot-putter can be really difficult. I would try and throw, wouldn't be able to, and then I would have to spend a week rehabbing to try and throw again," Crouser shared.

He made his arduous journey worth it by earning his third gold and reaching Olympic immortality.