Paris, France (AFP) — In a thrilling competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Jamaica’s Roje Stona clinched the gold medal in the men’s discus throw, setting a new Olympic record with a throw of 70.00 meters. This triumph marks a significant milestone in his athletic career and raises questions about his sporting future.
The 25-year-old discus champion emerged victorious after a closely fought battle, narrowly edging out Lithuania’s Mykolas Alekna by just three centimeters. “This is what I’ve been preparing for,” Stona remarked. “This is what I dream of. To come here and actually do it, it’s one of the best feelings of my life. It’s the best day of my life.”
Despite his recent success, Stona revealed uncertainty about his future in sports, indicating he might explore opportunities in American football. “I’m going to sleep on it,” he said. “I’m going to see what happens.”
Stona previously had tryouts with NFL teams, including the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints, introducing him to the world of American football. “It was very new to me. I knew the Olympic Games were coming up,” he stated, highlighting the balancing act between his commitments to track and field and potential endeavors in football. “I’ve got a lot of thinking to do and a lot of decisions to make.”
The Jamaican athlete also expressed his views on the prominence of field events in athletics. “Field events should get more attention, to be honest,” Stona said. He voiced his concern about Michael Johnson’s new athletics circuit, which will only feature track events starting in 2025. “When I see something like that, it kind of de-motivates us.”
Stona emphasized the hard work and dedication required in field events. “We’re putting in a lot of work as well, if not more. It’s not easy. What we do is very repetitive. We’ve got to do a lot of maintenance.”
As Stona reflects on his career path, he faces a significant decision: to continue excelling in discus throw or to venture into American football. “Everyone has to work hard, but we’ve got to live with the playing field,” he concluded. “Do you want to keep throwing, or do you want to play American football? It’s a great question.”
