Ryan Crouser Aims for Historic 3-Peat at Paris 2024 Olympics

American shot-put star Ryan Crouser, a two-time gold medalist, targets a historic third consecutive Olympic gold at the Paris Games.
Ryan Crouser

(CNN)- American shot-put star Ryan Crouser, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is poised to make history at the Paris 2024 Games. The 31-year-old athlete, who won gold in the shot put at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, is now targeting a unique three-peat—a feat that no shot-putter has ever achieved.

In a recent interview with CNN Sports’ Coy Wire, Crouser expressed the significance of potentially winning a third consecutive gold medal. “A third gold for me would be so special, simply because I’d be the first to do it. No one has ever won three gold in the shot, let alone three consecutive gold. So just honored to have the opportunity at the chance to make history. And I’m gonna go out there and do my best,” Crouser said.

Crouser detailed the rigorous preparation he has undergone, describing the sport as an “infinite rabbit hole” where even a small improvement in technique can lead to groundbreaking results. “If you get 1% better, 1% in the shot is like 23 cm. You’re almost, that’s groundbreaking. That’s a year’s worth of progress. So I’m chasing a 10th of a percent would be a good day,” he noted.

As a self-coached athlete, Crouser also shared insights into his reflective approach to training. “Setting goals, working towards those goals, and then reflecting on why I fell short or evaluating myself in regards to them and in writing as such to the point way of doing that, you can kind of bend the truth a little bit,” he explained. He added that taking the emotion out of self-evaluation is crucial for success.

In a lighter moment, Crouser revealed a personal anecdote about his priorities when moving into a new home. “Yeah, so my girlfriend wasn’t too happy about that. But fishing for me is a huge part of what I do. I found a good deal on a boat before we even had furniture. I was like, ‘Hey baby, I found a good deal on a boat. I know we are moving into the house today, so I’m going to grab it.’ So I need to get a boat, and she was like, ‘You don’t have a bed yet. You don’t have any furniture.’ But I did have a boat,” he chuckled.

As Crouser prepares for the Paris Olympics, his focus remains on the possibility of making history with a third gold medal, continuing to inspire with his dedication and unique personal stories.

Categories: Olympics, Sports