Erik Kynard

Erik Kynard Jr., born February 3, 1991, is an American track and field athlete who competes in the high jump. At his Olympic debut at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, aged 21, he took silver in the men's high jump behind Russia's Ivan Ukhov at 2.33 metres, and in 2019 the disqualification of Ukhov's results for doping made Kynard the rightful gold medallist. He graduated from Kansas State University, where he trained under Cliff Rovelto and won the NCAA outdoor high jump title in 2011 and 2012, and he later won the United States outdoor national title in 2014 and 2015. He received his upgraded gold medal at a ceremony in Paris on August 9, 2024.