“They Left Me Behind”: Sam Kendricks Still Sour Over 2020 Tokyo Snub Might Become the Reason for Skipping Paris Olympics

Competing in an Olympic event is a huge honor for any athlete, but for Sam Kendricks things have changed. While the 2x Diamond League winner is still competing in the professional pole vault circuit, he does not mind skipping the upcoming Paris Olympics. His reason behind it is as he said, “Maybe I’m bitter“  because of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic snub.

The US Olympic pole vault team faced setbacks and surprises on June 22. First, they suffered a loss when Olympian KC Lightfoot failed to clear the qualifying height of 5.60 meters for the finals. Then, off the field, Sam Kendricks dropped a bombshell, stating he would rather not be part of the US Team due to the mistreatment he allegedly received from the US Olympic governing bodies.

Sam Kendricks can skip the Olympics even if he qualifies

Back in July 2021, the U.S. team lost one of their best shot at a track and field Olympic gold after COVID wreaked havoc in the athletes’ camp. The US Olympic committee left off Sam Kendricks, who set the American pole vault record of 6.06 m, after his positive COVID test results. He claimed that his results were false, and that he had no symptoms, then the governing bodies barred him from returning.

“Why not?“ said Kendricks after being asked whether he would skip the Olympics if he qualified in the prestigious quadrennial event according to The Washington Post. “It won’t mean anything if I don’t make the squad. But it is expository to say it. Why should I go? They left me behind and never even said, ‘I was sorry,’“ said the 31-year-old who was left heartbroken after the 2020 Tokyo Games snub.

The 2x Diamond League winner has already qualified for the finals of the US Olympic pole vault trials scheduled on Sunday. He jumped as high as 5.65 meters and cleared all his four attempts. However, Sam Kendricks doesn’t feel the Olympics is a pinnacle for a professional!

Kendricks believes he competes “against the best guys“

After missing out on the Tokyo Games, Sam Kendricks kept himself involved in sports playing in different events across the globe. “I compete against the best guys all the time,“ the 31-year-old believes and criticized the quadrennial event by saying, “Everybody doesn’t understand: The Olympics is for the mamas.” His words depicted the pain he suffered after the snub.

Why wouldn’t he voice against it? He was in career-best form and could have earned the gold medal! While there’s absolutely no doubt that Kendricks is a pure patriot, his ambitions have changed. But if he qualifies on Sunday, will he play in the 2024 Paris Olympics? Let us know what you think he might decide in the comment box.