Jamaica's Roje Stona wins Olympic men's discus gold

Jamaica's Roje Stona threw an Olympic record of 70.00 metres to win men's discus gold in Paris on Wednesday.

Lithuania's world record holder Mykolas Alekna took silver with 69.97 metres.

Australia's Matthew Denny, previously an Olympic and world fourth-place finisher, claimed bronze (69.31m).

Alekna had broken the Olympic record with his best mark on his second effort.

But plans to emulate his father Virgilijus, who won two Olympic titles in 2000 and 2004, were scotched by the Jamaican.

Stona, coached by American Ryan Crouser who won an unprecedented third consecutive shot put gold on Saturday, stole the show when he went out to the 70-metre mark on his fourth attempt.

A throw of 7⃣0⃣m!!!
Rojé Stona sets a new Olympic record and brings Jamaica its first gold medal 🥇
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Un lancé à 7⃣0⃣m !!!
Rojé Stona signe un nouveau record Olympique et offre à la Jamaïque sa première médaille d'or 🥇#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/KXtQM1emoK

— Paris 2024 (@Paris2024) August 7, 2024

"It's a very special night," said Stona. "It's everything I wanted, but for it to actually happen, it's a very good feeling.

"In practice leading up to the competition I felt great. So I believed in myself and I know that I had it in me."

Stona said there was "no pressure" for his Olympic record throw.

"I was already in the top eight, so I had nothing to lose."

Under Crouser's guidance, Stona has moved to the pinnacle of Olympic accomplishment after finishing 19th at last year's world championships in Budapest.

"I've done some things that I didn't know I was capable of doing. But I believed, and I had faith, so I was in the moment and I enjoyed it," the 25-year-old said.

"Jamaica should be proud right now, they should celebrate. Field events are taking a step in the right direction now. We're doing good, we're getting medals."