Using his trademark slow run-up, Canadian Derek Drouin cleared 2.38 metres to take the gold medal at the Rio Olympics yesterday. That makes him Canada’s first Olympic high jump champion since 1932 and the first Canadian in 84 years to win track and field medals in back to back Games.
Doctors told Drouin four months ago that he should not jump for the rest of the season because of a nagging back injury. He decided against that advice and described himself as feeling confident in his preparation and excited to be at the Rio Olympics.
Broomstick practice started it all
Drouin learned high jumping after his kindergarten teacher introduced it to the class. He went home and set up a broomstick atop two speakers in the basement and used the hall for the run-up.
Residents of his hometown of Corunna, Ontario are very proud of their star athlete. After he took bronze in the London 2012 Olympics the town celebrated his win with a parade
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