Kendricks cleared the bar with a vault over 5.85 meters on his first try, which was sufficient for him to capture the bronze medal at the Olympic Games in a very competitive match. French pole vaulter and indoor world record holder Renaud Lavillenie took home the silver with 5.98 meters, and Thiago Braz da Silva won the gold for Brazil with 6.03 meters, setting an Olympic record and a South American record.
One of the most moving moments was when Kendricks stopped midway through one of his pole vault attempts in the qualifying round to hear the American national anthem being played in the background. This patriotic gesture was well-received by all.
Following the Olympic Games, Kendricks was tied for first place in Zurich with Lavillenie, both of which vaulted over 5.90 meters; moreover, on August 25, Kendricks set a meeting record of 5.92 meters in Lausanne, Switzerland, as part of the 2016 IAAF Diamond League, thus winning first place.
At 24 years old, Kendricks has been honored as the 2014, 2015 and 2016 indoor national champion of pole vault of the United States, as well as the 2015 and 2016 outdoor national champion.
Aside from his prowess in pole vault, Kendricks is a second lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve.
To learn more about Olympic pole vaulter Sam Kendricks, follow him on Twitter.
