2016 Olympic Games

Olympic Preview: Men's and Women's Jumps

Olympic Preview: Men's and Women's Jumps

The Olympics start next week, and track and field competition kicks off Friday, August 12. The jumps will begin with the men's long jump preliminaries on Fr

Aug 5, 2016 by Allie Woodward Woodward
Olympic Preview: Men's and Women's Jumps
The Olympics start next week, and track and field competition kicks off Friday, August 12. The jumps will begin with the men's long jump preliminaries on Friday, August 12, at 7:20PM CST. Check out our rundown of the Olympic jumps events below!

Women's Long Jump

The final is set for Wednesday, August 17, at 7:15PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Tianna Bartoletta, Shara Proctor, Ivana Spanovic
2013 Worlds: Brittney Reese, Blessing Okagbare, Ivana Spanovic
2012 Olympics: Brittney Reese, Yelena Sokolova, Janay DeLoach

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Brittney Reese (7.31m), Tianna Bartoletta (6.82m), Janay DeLoach (6.93m)

Other contenders
Sosthene Taroum Moguenara (GER), Brooke Stratton (AUS), Ivana Spanovic (SRB), Manna Bekh (UKR), Shara Proctor (GBR)

2016 world leaders
Brittney Reese, Sosthene Taroum Moguenara (7.16m), Brooke Stratton (7.05m)

How are America's chances?
At the end of the day, the gold medal should hang around the neck of Brittney Reese. Her jump from the U.S. Olympic Trials tied Marion Jones for No. 2 all-time in U.S. history and is No. 10 in the world all-time. The 2016 world leader seems to save her best performances for the biggest meets of the year. Before the Trials, her season's best was 7.22m--a world lead she set at the Indoor World Championships. At the Prefontaine Classic, she won with a mark of 6.92m, but came out in full force at the Trials, where she jumped her lifetime best: 2016's world-leading mark of 7.31m. 

It wouldn't be surprising if both USA teammates Tianna Bartoletta and Janay DeLoach were in the mix for a medal, too.

Bartoletta was the 2015 world champion. Her performance last year also marked the 10-year anniversary of her first world title in 2005. She currently has the lucky No. 13 spot on the world top-20 list because the 7.02m jump that earned her silver at the Trials was not wind-legal. 

With the world No. 5 mark of 6.93m, Janay DeLoach is a worthy opponent. DeLoach was the Olympic bronze medalist in 2012. Even though she hasn't been consistently near the 6.90m mark like she was leading up to London, you can bet she'll fight to return once again with a medal around her neck.

Who will win or medal?
Barring complete disaster, Reese will win gold. None of the other women in the field have come close to the three-time outdoor world champion's 7.31 mark. Moguenara of Germany is the closest PB contender at 7.16m, and fellow American Bartoletta has a personal best of 7.15m. Reese has made a steady progression to the top, and her 7.31m mark at the Olympic Trials suggests a leap to breaking Jackie Joyner-Kersee's 7.59 American record may not be too far away. 

An American sweep in the event is possible (and would be AMAZING), but the U.S. trio will have to hold off Serbian Ivana Spanovic, the 2016 European champion. Spanovic was the world indoor silver medalist this year and won bronze at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships. She poses the greatest threat to American long jump domination.

The possibility of competing in three events could also prove to be too much for Bartoletta, who has a lot on her plate. In addition to the long jump, she'll run the 100m and possibly the 4x100m relay as well. 

My picks: Reese, gold; Spanovic, silver; Bartoletta, bronze.



Men's Long Jump

The final is set for Saturday, August 13, at 6:50PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Greg Rutherford, Fabrice Lapierre, Wang Jianan
2013 Worlds: Aleksandr Menkov, Ignisious Gaisah, Luis Rivera
2012 Olympics: Greg Rutherford, Mitchell Watt, Will Claye

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Jeff Henderson (8.59m +2.9w), Jarrion Lawson (8.58m), Mike Hartfield (8.34m)
*Will Claye (8.14m) was third, but doesn't have Olympic standard; Marquis Dendy (8.42m) was fourth, but got injured while competing at the Trials.

Other contenders
Michel Tornéus (SWE), Rushwal Samaai (RSA), Greg Rutherford (GBR), Fabrice Lapierre (AUS),

2016 world leaders
Jarrion Lawson (8.58m) No. 3 Michel Torneus (8.44m) No. 5 Rushwal Samaii (8.38m)
*No. 2 Marquise Goodwin (8.45m) finished seventh at the Trials; No. 4, Marquis Dendy, is out with injury

How are America's chances?
22-year-old Jarrion Lawson and Trials champion Jeff Henderson are likely medal contenders who have world marks ahead of their international competition, since the next closest marks belong to Americans who won't compete in Rio. While none of the men competing for Team USA in this event have world championship medals, Lawson was a bronze medalist at World Juniors in 2012 and has won two indoor NCAA championships at Arkansas. It's possible both Lawson and Henderson will leave with medals in their first trip to the Games. 

Who will win or medal?
Lawson is the favorite, but Henderson could also make a play for gold. Henderson's wind-aided 8.59m mark is just ahead of Lawson's best, so the American duo may finish top two. Also in the podium mix should be Michel Torneus of Sweden. Torneus has the third-best jump in the world this year behind Marquise Goodwin, who didn't qualify out of the U.S. Trials. He has won four European Championship medals and finished fourth at the Games in 2012.

My picks: Lawson, gold; Henderson, silver; Torneus, bronze. 

Women's High Jump

The final is set for Saturday, August 20, at 6:20PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Mariya Kuchina, Blanka Vlasic, Anna Chicherova
2013 Worlds: Svetlana Shkolina, Brigitta Barrett, Anna Chicherova/Ruth Beitia
2012 Olympics: Anna Chicherova, Brigetta Barrett, Svetlana Shkolina

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Chaunte Lowe (2.01m), Vashti Cunningham (1.97m), Inika McPherson (1.93m)

Other contenders
Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch (GER), Kamila Licwinko (POL), Blanka Vlasic (CRO)

2016 world leaders
Chaunte Lowe, Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch (2.00m), Kamila Licwinko (1.99m)

How are America's chances?
Chaunte Lowe is not only the American record-holder, but also the world leader in this event. She jumped 2.01m at the Trials, and was first at the Prefontaine Classic--ahead of world No. 2 Marie-Laurence Jungfleisch, and No. 3 Kamila Licwinko. The mother of three finished sixth at the previous two Olympic Games, but without several world-leading Russians in Rio, Lowe could finally snag an Olympic medal. 

The American team is also strengthened by high school phenom and world junior record-holder Vashti Cunningham. The 18-year-old finished second at the Olympic Trials, but was the champion at World Indoors in March. Cunningham comparatively lacks experience at the senior level, but if veterans don't rise to the occasion in Rio, Vashti could sneak in for the silver or bronze.

Who will win or medal?
Lowe is the favorite in this event. Her world-leading mark doesn't rank her far ahead of the competition, but her experience on a third Olympic team does. The Spaniard Ruth Beitia is a highly decorated world medalist who finished second to Cunningham at this year's world indoor championships.

A threat to Lowe's gold medal chances is Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Blanka Vlasic. Although she experienced setbacks in 2016--the Croatian only notched a jump of 1.95m and also reportedly underwent surgery to repair retrocalcaneus bursitis--the multiple-time world medalist should never be counted out when it comes to a championship competition.

My picks: Lowe, gold; Vlasic, silver; Beitia, bronze.




Men's High Jump

The final is set for Tuesday, August 16, at 6:30PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Derek Drouin, Bogdan Bondarenko, Zhang Guiowei (tie for silver)
2013 Worlds: Bogdan Bondarenko, Mutaz Essa, Derek Drouin
2012 Olympics: Ivan Ukhov, Erik Kynard, Mutaz Essa, Derek Drouin, Robert Grabarz (3-way tie for bronze)

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Erik Kynard (2.35m), Bradley Adkins (2.23m) Ricky Robertson (2.29m) 
*Kyle Landon finished second at the Trials, but doesn't have the Olympic standard. Robertson was sixth, but was next in line with the standard.

Other contenders
Mutaz Essa Barshim (QAT), Derek Drouin (CAN), Bogdan Bondarenko (UKR)

2016 world leaders
Mutaz Essa Barshim (2.40m), Gianmarco Tamberi (2.39m), Derek Drouin (2.38m)

How are America's chances?
American Erik Kynard will be in the thick of it for a medal. The 2012 silver medalist only has the seventh-best time on the world list, but with top finishes in the Diamond League circuit, he is a consistent performer who should be in the medal hunt. Kynard notched several Diamond League victories and runner-up finishes this season--first in Doha, second in Rabat, and second in Birmingham. He was also third behind Gianmarco Tamberi and Robbie Grabarz at World Indoors this year.

Who will win or medal?
Tamberi would have been be a serious threat to win gold as he won World Indoors in March and was riding a Monaco Diamond League victory of 2.39m, but he suffered from injury and is out for the remainder of the season. With Tamberi gone, the opportunities are endless for the remaining competition.

Olympic bronze medalist Mutaz Essa Barshim will be back in the hunt for a medal after notching a world lead of 2.40m in June. 

2015 world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Derek Drouin enters the competition with a 2.38m season's best from July 17, which proves he is rounding into top form at the right time. 

Last, but certainly not least, is Ukrainian sensation Bogdan Bondarenko. He notched a season's best of 2.37m, which ranks him fourth in the world in 2016. The 2013 world champion won all but one Diamond League competition this year, and could contend for a medal as well.

My picks: Barshim, gold; Bondarenko, silver; Kynard, bronze.

Women's Triple Jump

The final is set for Tuesday, August 16, at 6:30PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Caterine Ibarguen, Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko, Olga Rypakova
2013 Worlds: Caterine Ibarguen, Ekaterina Koneva, Olha Saladukha
2012 Olympics: Olga Rypakova, Caterine Ibarguen, Olha Saladukha

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Keturjah Orji (14.53m), Christina Epps (14.17m), Andrea Geubelle (14.15m)

Other contenders
Caterine Ibarguen (COL), Olga Rypakova (KAZ), Yulimar Rojas (VEN), Hanna Knyazyeva-Minenko (ISR), Olha Saladukha (UKR)

2016 world leaders
Caterine Ibarguen (15.04m), Yulimar Rojas (15.02m), Paraskeví Papahrístou (14.73m)

How are America's chances?
Not great. 20-year-old Georgia Bulldog Keturah Orji is Team USA's best shot at getting on the podium, but it's unlikely she'll beat world medalists like Ibarguen and Rypakova. All eight of the women who rank ahead of her on the world list will be in Rio, so earning a top-three finish would be a huge victory for the two-time NCAA champion.

Christina Epps jumped a new PB at the Trials, but 14.17m won't get her in medal range. Andrea Geubelle was a two-time NCAA indoor champion, but she's never made a world team and would be a long shot to make it near the podium.

Who will win or medal?
2012 Olympic silver medalist Caterine Ibarguen is the best bet for the gold medal in Rio. Iguarden jumped her world-leading time back in May, but her performances have consistently placed her at the top of the Diamond League. She took second only once this season to Kazakstan's Olga Rypakova, who will also be a strong podium contender.

Even though 2015 world silver medalist Hannah Minenko has struggled to jump better than 14.51m this season, a repeat of last year's world championship result--Ibarguen, Minenko, Rypakova (in that order)--isn't out of the question.

My picks: Iguarden, gold; Rojas, silver; Papahristou, bronze.


Men's Triple Jump

The final is set for Tuesday, August 16, at 7:50AM CST. 

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Christian Taylor, Pedro Pablo Pichardo, Nelson Evora
2013 Worlds: Teddy Tamgho, Pedro Pablo Pichardo, Will Claye
2012 Olympics: Christian Taylor, Will Claye, Fabrizio Donato

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Will Claye (17.65m), Christian Taylor (17.78m), Chris Benard (17.21m)

Other contenders
Pedro Pablo Pichardo (CUB), Dong Bin (CHN), Max Hess (GER)

2016 world leaders
Christian Taylor, Will Claye, Renijith Maheswary (17.30m)

How are America's chances?
Six of the top 20 marks in the world in the triple jump world this year belong to U.S. jumpers. Similar to the men's long jump, the medal competition at the Olympic Trials may prove to be stiffer than run for the podium in Rio. Leading the American charge are two veteran Olympians: Christian Taylor and Will Claye. Taylor's 17.78m mark is the world lead, and ahead of Claye's no. 2 mark  of 17.65m. The outcome on the podium in Rio could definitely mirror the 1-2 finish from Taylor and Claye at the Games in 2012. 

Who will win or medal?
America's top two contenders Claye and Taylor are near lock-ins for podium placement. Taylor lead the world four times in this event during the 2016 season and the only person who has come close to his 2016 lead is teammate Will Claye. The contest over the third spot on the podium with likely be the biggest battle. Cuban Pedro Pablo Pichardo, who won silver at Worlds last year, is a top candidate. But Chinese jumper Dong Bin, the champion at 2016 World Indoors will also be in the hunt for a spot.

My picks: Taylor, gold; Claye, silver; Bin, bronze.




Women's Pole Vault

The final is set for Friday, August 19, at 6:30PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Yarisley Silva, Fabiana Murer, Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou
2013 Worlds: Yelena Isinbayeva, Jenn Suhr, Yarisley Silva
2012 Olympics: Jenn Suhr, Yarisley Silva, Yelena Isinbayeva

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Jenn Suhr (4.82m), Sandi Morris (4.93), Lexi Weeks (4.70m)

Other contenders
Yarisley Silva (CUB),  Fabiana Murer (BRA), Ekateríni Stefanídi (GRE), Nikoleta Kyriakopoulou (GRE)

2016 world leaders
Sandi Morris, Yelena Isinbayeva (4.90m), Fabiana Murer (4.87m)

How are America's chances?
Even though she was still making her way back from injury, world-leader Sandi Morris had a solid performance in Eugene that earned her the chance to defend her position in Rio. With a few more weeks of training under her belt, Morris went to Houston and set a new world lead just weeks before the Games. The 4.93m mark puts her in good position heading into Rio.

Fellow American and 2012 Olympic champion Jenn Suhr will headline the championship once again. Although she suffered from injury early in 2016, Suhr is famous for jumping her best in championship competition. She collected the 2016 world indoor title and notched a world lead and indoor world record of 5.03m in January. Suhr most recently collected yet another national title in rainy conditions at the Olympic Trials.

Who will win or medal?
The absence of two-time Russian gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva (due to her team's ban from the 2016 Games) opens up the opportunity for other world leaders to get on the podium. Morris is a strong contender for a podium spot, as is Suhr, and Brazil's own Fabiana Murer will be in the hunt for a medal on her home turf. Murer is a multiple-time world medalist, but has never reached the Olympic podium. The last time she competed at home in May, Murer walked away with the crown. Local crowds will go crazy if the Brazilian vaulter gets on the podium. 

Suhr hasn't had the most outstanding year after contending with an injury, but executed a solid performance at the Trials, where she vaulted 4.80m. As the reigning Olympic and world indoor champion, she will likely be able to continue her winning ways for top honors in Rio.

My picks: Suhr, gold; Murer, silver; Morris, bronze.



Men's Pole Vault

The final is set for Monday, August 15, at 6:35PM CST.

Last three podiums
2015 Worlds: Shawn Barber, Raphael Holzdeppe, Renaud Lavillenie, Piotr Lisek, Pawel Wojciechowski (three-way tie for third)
2013 Worlds: Raphael Holzdeppe, Renaud Lavillenie, Bjorn Otto
2012 Olympics: Renaud Lavillenie, Bjorn Otto, Raphael Holzdeppe

Team USA with 2016 season bests
Sam Kendricks (5.92m), Cale Simmons (5.72m), Logan Cunningham (5.71m)

Other contenders
Shawn Barber (CAN), Renaud Lavillenie (FRA), Pawel Wojciechowski (POL)

2016 world leaders
Renaud Lavillenie (5.96m), Sam Hendricks, Shawn Barber (5.91m)

How are America's chances? 
Sam Kendricks made a statement at Hayward Field when he set the U.S. Olympic Trials record at 5.91m--just behind his PR of 5.92m. In the past 13 months of competition, Kendricks amassed the second-highest vault aggregate average among world-leading vaulters . The only man ahead of him is Renaud Lavillenie, who owns 2016's world-leading mark of 5.96m. The other members of Team USA, Cale Simmons and Logan Cunningham, don't crack the top 10 in world-leading marks with season's bests of 5.72m and 5.71m, respectively. Given Kendricks' consistency, he will certainly be in contention for a podium spot.

Who will win or medal?
The world lead list is full of vaulters who have hit marks around 5.90m this year. Only four have jumped 5.90m or better, and Lavillenie tops the list. With the exception of the Diamond League meet in Shanghai where he finished second to Kendricks, the Frenchman was undefeated during the outdoor season. Lavillenie got caught in a three-way tie for bronze last year at Worlds, should be ready to defend his title as the reigning Olympic gold medalist in Rio.

You can't count reigning world champion Shawn Barber out of the medal count, either. Barber's 5.91m, the world No. 3 mark, solidifies him as a threat to Lavillenie's quest for repeat gold. 

My picks: Lavillenie, gold; Kendricks, silver; Barber, bronze.