Watch: USA’s Track and Field Icon’s Nearly 3 Decade Old Olympic Record-Setting Performance

As the Olympics are nearing, a look back at the historic moments is making the atmosphere all the more exciting. A USATF Hall of Fame star from the Kansas State University has given the track and field realm one such moment. The three-time NCAA Champion is well known for creating history in the triple jump outdoors (1986) and indoors (1988). But his gold-winning triple jump performance in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and 1991 World Championships is part of the sport’s history.

Recently, Kenny Harrison’s 3-decade-old Olympic glory got a revisit with a social media post. Let’s take a look at the 4x USA Champion’s iconic jump that still remains untouched.

The triple jump record bearer of track and field

In a throwback to the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the official page of the Olympic Games on X recapitulates the smashing Olympic record that Kenny Harrison made in the triple jump. As history recalls, Harrison had missed her chance at the 1992 Olympic Games because of a severe injury. But, he did not miss out on the opportunity to grab a gold at the 1996 Olympics. Establishing American and Olympic records with a mark of 18.09m at the 1996 Olympic Games. Interestingly, as per records, the jump is the longest ever with a negative wind reading.

Ranked 2 in the world and No. 1 in the United States of America, Kenny Harrison had once expressed his gratitude toward his alma mater for his rise to fame. “I’m just super proud of Kansas State for allowing me to be the person that I am today. I’m happy.” Kenny Harrison is equally nostalgic about how the 1996 Atlanta had gone by and what mark it left on his brand name encompassing the track and field industry.

Reminiscent of his historic records and achievements

Rewinding his past historic triple jump records, Kenny Harrison’s winning effort sentence to date remains, “That is kind of like a tribute that I was on the right track,” he said. “My mindset was on the right thing. My body was prepared to be at 100% and my focus was proper, so I’m really, really proud of myself for not quitting and not giving up,” he further added in an interview in 2020. After getting the ultimate, it was time to give back.

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Therefore, Kenny Harrison now mentors young track and field athletes. Founder of ‘Signature Athletics’, Kenny Harrison currently helps elite athletes with speed and agility training. He had lately during the 2020 Olympic journey commented on the Game lapse because of the COVID pandemic. He had stated, “I feel so bad because there’s some amazing kids that were going to break records and do amazing things and they’re not going to have that opportunity again just because it’s so rare to get to that level.”  However, all he believes is that a sportsperson must represent oneself positively and strongly because that can destine the coming future.

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