Rio 2016: Tianna Bartoletta wins gold medal in women’s long jump

It just kept on getting better and better, and the women’s long jumpers kept jumping farther and farther. But in the end, Tianna Bartoletta of the United States, who just missed out on making the final in the 100 meters, leapt 7.17 meters to win gold in the women’s long jump.

She beat teammate and defending champion Brittney Reese, who won silver with a jump of 7.15. Ivana Španović of Serbia won bronze with a leap of 7.08 meters.

Darya Klishina was the only Russian allowed to compete in track and field at the Rio Games. Russia was banned by the International Association of Athletic Federations due to rampant doping within the country, but Klishina was allowed to compete because she lives and trains in Florida. She finished ninth with a jump of 6.63 meters.

The three medalists all brought their best at the end of the competition, leaping to their bests on their final jumps.

For Bartoletta, it was redemption after she missed the final of the 100 meters. Gold in the long jump is a nice consolation prize.