How Old Is American Gold Medalist Katie Moon? Why Did She Share Her Medal With Nina Kennedy?

Katie Moon is one of the strongest contenders in women’s pole vaulting currently underway in the 2024 World Indoor Championship. Following a dominant finish in the Tokyo Olympics, two world titles in Budapest and Oregon, and a world indoor silver medal in Belgrade, Moon added the US title to her stellar portfolio this year.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Moon made a moving gesture to share her gold medal with fellow competitor Nina Kennedy, making her a fan favorite. Although not many know her impressive finishes go back to when she was a diver, and gymnast until finally a remarkable transit to pole vaulting, which sets her apart in athletic prowess.

From A Diver and Gymnast To A Pole Vaulter, Katie Moon Did It All

Katie Moon first fell in love with diving when she was just 12! She attended Olmsted Falls High School. She was a superb level 4 gymnast as well, but the moment she grabbed a pole, everything changed. Moon won the Division 1 state running championship in 2008 and the state champion title in 2009. She went on to break the state record in pole vaulting at 3.97 meters (13 feet).

Speaking about her passion for pole vaulting, Moon said, “It was love at first sight for me. I started without the pole and gradually embraced it. My passion is to go higher and higher, and I’ll keep doing so until I can.” While she pulled out of the 2024 Hauts-De-France Pas-De-Calais, last season she won the 2023 Diamond League final, ranked #1 in the World according to World Athletics. She took home the USA indoor championship with an outstanding 4.80-meter leap. Beyond her athletic ability, Moon’s sportsmanship was commendable during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

A Heart-Warming Tokyo Olympics 2020 Incident Of Sportsmanship

Katie Moon and Nina Kennedy were the first co-gold medalists in any event in the history of the 2023 World Athletics Championships after failing to reach the 4.95m mark in three attempts. Taking inspiration from the track and field championships at the Tokyo Olympics where Gianmarco Tamberi and Mutaz Essa Barshim shared a gold after a missed third attempt of 2.39m. Both athletes agreed to share the gold medals rather than compete in a tiebreaker jump-off. Kennedy came up with the idea after she realized Moon could also favor a shared win.

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Moon even recalled the moment asking, “Did we just become best friends?” Their choice underlined the value of friendship and sportsmanship in the sporting community by mirroring a similar conundrum in the high jump finals. Now as Moon heads to the 2024 Paris Olympics, eyes are set on another top medal prospect for Team US.

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