Olympics 2016: Ruth Beitia wins gold medal in women’s high jump

We have a whole new podium in the women’s high jump at the 2016 Olympics, led by gold medal winner Ruth Beitia of Spain. She was one of four jumpers to clear the 1.97-meter height, but none of them were successful on the 2.00-meter bar. Beitia finishes in first because she didn’t miss a single jump at any of the three lower heights leading up to that point.

Mirela Demireva of Bulgaria earned the silver by missing only one earlier jump. The athletes started at 1.88 meters and went up to 1.93, 1.97, and then 2.00 until everyone had failed three consecutive jumps at one level. Blanka Vlasic of Croatia wound up with the bronze after missing once at each of those three lower levels.

None of the medal winners from London even participated this time around. Two were from the Russian track and field team, most of which was barred from Rio for doping reasons, and 2012 silver medal winner Brigetta Barrett of the United States retired earlier this year due to injuries. That left the field wide open, and Beitia, who finished fourth in London, took advantage by bringing home the gold. The 37-year-old is competing in her fourth Olympic Games and finally has her first medal.

The highest United States finisher this time around was Chaunte Lowe, who came in fourth. She took until her third try to clear the 1.97-meter bar, which was enough to drop her out of the medals. The last time the US won gold was 1988, thanks to Louise Ritter.

Vashti Cunningham of Team USA tied for 13th, nailing her 1.88-meter jump on the first try but then coming up short at 1.93. Cunningham is the daughter of legendary NFL quarterback Randall Cunningham, and the 18-year-old looks to have a bright future ahead after winning the 2016 World Indoor Championships in March against a field that included Beitia. Her American teammate Inika McPherson finished just ahead of her, tied for 10th, after clearing 1.93 on her third try but then failing on 1.97.