Legendary shot putter aims for third consecutive Olympic gold, pending physical condition

The greatest shot putter in track and field history, Ryan Crouser, has faced an unusual challenge this spring and summer vulnerability.

In March, Crouser injured the ulnar nerve in his throwing elbow. Then, in April, he tore a pectoral muscle while bench pressing. He wasn’t cleared to resume throwing the 16-pound shot until almost June, and by late July, in his final warmup before the Paris Olympics, he experienced his first loss in nearly a year.

“There were some challenges this spring,” Crouser remarked. “To say the least.”

Ryan Crouser

As the 31-year-old American prepares to step into the ring at Stade de France for the Olympic shot put final on Saturday, he faces the ultimate test of a season marked by physical setbacks but not a loss of confidence. He still aims to leave as history’s farthest and most dominant thrower.

“I can’t do exactly what I could do day to day when I was younger,” Crouser admitted. “But I still believe at the top end, I can still be as good as I ever was, if not better.”

Crouser easily qualified for the final on Friday night with a single throw of 70 feet, 6 1/4 inches, conserving energy and minimizing wear on his body.

Crouser has a history of Olympic success, winning gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and breaking his own record three times to repeat in Tokyo. A victory in Paris would extend his dominance to an unprecedented three consecutive gold medals, surpassing Ralph Rose (1904, 1908), Parry O’Brien (1952, 1956), and Tomasz Majewski (2008, 2012). A win would also solidify American dominance in the event, as Americans have won gold 19 times in 29 Summer Olympics.

Crouser holds 11 of the top 20 farthest throws in history, all achieved between 2021 and this season. Only four men have thrown beyond 75 feet, 5 1/2 inches (23 meters), and Crouser has done it nine times. He faces strong competition in Paris, with throwers holding the second, fifth, and seventh-best marks in history also competing. The U.S. has a chance at sweeping the podium.

“Every year I think if I can get a little bit better, the sport will get easier,” he said with a smile. “But every year the guys seem to keep up with me and even gain a little bit, so it’s been hard to pull away, but it does keep it exciting.”

Crouser has maintained his dominance through a willingness to innovate his technique. Self-coached and with a background in engineering and finance, he deeply analyzes his throws in his “barn” near the University of Arkansas.

While Fayetteville hosts many professionals who train at the Razorbacks’ track, Crouser’s stature in the sport commands respect, even from other world-class athletes.

“I don’t really talk when I see him training because he’s the world record holder,” said Jaydon Hibbert, a medal-contending triple jumper from Jamaica and Arkansas student. “I’m not going to bother the world record holder.”

In December 2023, two years after setting his first world record, Crouser sought to enhance his technique further. He adjusted his spin to give his long limbs more room, leading to quicker rotation and more speed behind the shot. This “Crouser slide” technique led to a new world record in May 2023, with a throw of 77 feet, 3 ¾ inches, the first ever beyond 77 feet.

Despite winning his second consecutive world championship eight months after changing his technique, Crouser faced further health challenges, including two blood clots in his left leg. These issues stemmed from overcompensating as he aged, forcing him to rethink his training and recovery methods.

“As a self-coached athlete, it has been a bit of difficulty recognizing that I am getting older,” he acknowledged.

Now, Crouser’s routine includes massages and icing, with more rest days between training sessions. Despite these challenges, he remains confident in his abilities and is poised to prove that even in a difficult season, he can still be the best on the day it matters most.