This marks the 6th medal for the Greek delegation (the first in track and field) at the Paris Olympic Games, with the remarkable Emmanouil Karalis earning the bronze medal, a significant personal achievement.
At 25 years old, Karalis has faced many challenges. However, despite the difficulties he encountered since childhood, he always found a way to bounce back. Not only in competition but also always accompanied by his disarming smile that spread positive energy everywhere.
Having matured and set the national record at the beginning of the year, Emmanouil Karalis aimed for the Olympic Games. Four years ago in Tokyo, he was very close to winning a medal but finished 4th. This time, however, everything was different, and the outcome was much more beautiful. Now, returning to his room in the Olympic Village, he can show his own Olympic medal to his roommate and close friend Miltiadis Tentoglou.
An Exciting Final with Thrilling Developments Emmanouil appeared at the athlete presentation full of joy, with a huge smile covering his face, enjoying every moment.
As he had been since his first moment in the Village, and as he was during the preliminary round…
With the jumps starting at 5.50m and him being 8th in the order, he cleared the bar with ease, as did everyone else except Duplantis (who did not attempt such a low height).
His second jump at 5.70m was equally impressive, as the Swede (Duplantis) appeared and cleared it with ease, starting the first problems…
At 5.80m, 11 athletes continued, but only five cleared it on their first attempt. Karalis and Guttormsen (Norway), Kendricks (USA), Sasmaz (Turkey), and Huang (China), while Duplantis chose to rest…
At 5.85m, 10 athletes continued, but the two Germans (Zernikel and Lita) quickly dropped out, with Duplantis reappearing and clearing it with ease. However, Kendricks, Huang, and Guttormsen failed, and Manolo knew that clearing it on his first attempt would make him a medal favorite…
After waiting for the 200m semifinal, where Lyles was running, he took his position and soared, clearing the height with ease…
Sasmaz, the Turk, also cleared all heights on his first attempt, as did Australians Marshall and Filipino Obiena (the latter two with one failed attempt at 5.80), and of course, Duplantis…
At that moment, the Swede, the Greek, and the Turk were tied for first place, but strategy came into play.
American Kendricks saved his two remaining attempts for 5.90m, as did Norwegian Guttormsen, and the former cleared it, creating a new scenario.
Duplantis chose to rest, but Karalis continued undeterred, and with another amazing jump, he cleared 5.90m on his first attempt, piling pressure on the others.
Obiena also cleared it (but had one failed attempt at 5.80), Marshall failed, and Sasmaz too, leaving their remaining attempts for 5.95m since they trailed the Greek athlete.
Kendricks, a great athlete, cleared 5.95m on his first attempt, challenging Karalis to break the national record to surpass him.
Karalis had his first failed attempt, placing him in 3rd, but seeing Marshall and Sasmaz miss their remaining attempts, he chose to save his for 6m.
Obiena was the only remaining threat, but he failed three times, securing the bronze medal for Manolo.
He had two more attempts to steal the silver from Kendricks and make history as the first Greek to clear 6m, but he did not succeed.
Even after his second failed attempt, he wasn’t disappointed but was the happiest person in the stadium (at least until Duplantis’ last jump). He was now an Olympian!
