Current:Home > reviewsLate grandfather was with Ryan Crouser 'every step of the way' to historic third gold -Wealth Evolution Experts
Late grandfather was with Ryan Crouser 'every step of the way' to historic third gold
View
Date:2025-04-16 19:48:05
SAINT-DENIS, France − Larry Crouser was with his grandson Ryan on Saturday night.
He was with him in warm-ups, as the greatest shot put thrower of all-time prepared for a record-setting opportunity at the Paris Olympics' Stade de France venue. He was with him in the ring when Crouser violently spun and hurled the 22.90-meter throw that let the rest of the field know they were all throwing for silver.
And he was certainly with him on the podium as Crouser became the first shot putter to ever win three Olympic gold medals.
It was a crowning achievement for Crouser, 31, who grew up with a family of field event standouts from javelin throwers to discus throwers and, of course, shot putters. His father Mitch is his coach, and grandfather Larry ignited Ryan's passion for the sport 20 years ago with a backyard sandpit.
"He's been in my thoughts quite a bit. I lost him right before Tokyo (Olympics in 2021). To have my family here, I think means a lot. Throwing is something that's kind of united my family since I was little. My uncle was on the '92 Olympic team. The year I was born, he was in the Olympics," Crouser said. "To have them all here means so much to me, and my grandpa passing away right before Tokyo, that was an emotional time for me then. Overcoming all the stuff I've had this season just trying to stay positive and find a way to keep moving forward, he's been with me every step of the way."
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
As for the rest of the Crouser clan, they were in attendance Saturday night to watch Ryan make shot put history. Where else would they be? After a tenuous elbow injury limited Crouser's training for the Paris Games, there was plenty of drama involved. Crouser took gold in the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro and again in the Tokyo Games — winning three consecutive golds in the event was unprecedented.
And for his relatives, Paris was a fine getaway to boot.
"They've been running around Paris and having all the fun. I've been training and hanging out in the village just killing time and waiting to compete. They've been taking cooking classes and seeing the Eiffel Tower," Crouser said with a laugh. "I'm a little jealous. I'm looking forward to spending some time with them."
He's got plenty of time to celebrate, but Crouser has made the decision to shoot for a new goal: winning a fourth consecutive gold medal in shot put at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. There was a time when he planned to switch disciplines to the discus throw post-Paris, but the allure of taking one more crack at shot put gold proved too attractive. He fully intends to pick up the discus again − he's not thrown discus competitively since his days at the University of Texas − but he's keeping the shot put at the center of his plans.
"I'm at the point in my career where I can't take away too much from shot. It's a bit of walking a tight rope. I'd like to throw discus but I can't take away too much from shot. The goal for me would be to retire in 2028 as an American retiring on American soil at an American Olympics. (That) would be a dream come true," Crouser said. "... I don't know if we'll see a full commitment to discus. I'll want to do some meets and throw it a little bit, but shot is where I'm going to hang my shoes up in '28."
And he'll take Larry Crouser with him to L.A., too.
Reach Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X: @chasegoodbread.
veryGood! (57811)
Related
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- New York lawmakers expand fracking ban to include liquid carbon dioxide
- Judge rejects Apple's request to toss out lawsuit over AirTag stalking
- M. Emmet Walsh, unforgettable character actor from ‘Blood Simple,’ ‘Blade Runner,’ dies at 88
- Bill Belichick's salary at North Carolina: School releases football coach's contract details
- Public royal Princess Kate went private: Abdominal surgery, photo scandal has rumors flying
- Christine Quinn's 2-Year-Old Son Taken to Hospital After Husband Christian Dumontet's Assault Arrest
- A teenager faces a new felony charge over the shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- The BÉIS Virtual Warehouse Sale Is Here, Shop Bestsellers Like The Weekender Bag & More for 40% Off
Ranking
- Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
- Alabama lawmakers advance expansion of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law
- Lawmakers seek bipartisan breakthrough for legislation to provide federal protections for IVF
- UK watchdog addressing data breach at hospital where Princess Kate had abdominal surgery
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Chevron agrees to pay more than $13 million in fines for California oil spills
- Execution in Georgia: Man to be put to death for 1993 murder of former girlfriend
- Reddit, the self-anointed the ‘front page of the internet,’ set to make its stock market debut
Recommendation
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Texas wants to arrest immigrants in the country illegally. Why would that be such a major shift?
Judge rejects Apple's request to toss out lawsuit over AirTag stalking
A teenager faces a new felony charge over the shooting at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl celebration
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Mississippi deputies arrest 14-year-old in mother’s shooting death, injuring stepfather
New 'Ghostbusters' review: 2024 movie doubles down on heroes and horror, but lacks magic
Businessman pleads guilty in polygamous leader's scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving underage girls