The U.S. military was represented by 18 athletes in Rio, but the first one to medal was pole vaulter Sam Kendricks. The former Ole Miss track star, who is listed as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve, won the bronze in the menās pole vault earlier this week with a jump of 19 feet 2Ā¼ inches.
He stopped mid-run on a jump during the event, which happened earlier this week when Kendricks overheard the national anthem while competing in the qualifying round.
He stopped mid-run on a jump during the event, which happened earlier this week when Kendricks overheard the national anthem while competing in the qualifying round.