Pole vaulters Katie Moon and Nina Kennedy’s decision to share a gold medal Wednesday at the World Athletics Championships in Hungary has created an uproar among some observers who believe there needed to be a single winner. However, the athletes are standing by their choice.
Moon posted a statement to social media defending the move, and she responded thoughtfully to those whom she says called the two “cowards” and “pathetic.” She explained that the sport of pole vaulting is not meant to be a measure of endurance, so as competitions unfold, fatigue impacts the results differently than in other athletic disciplines.
Moon is an American, and Kennedy is Australian.
