Team USA pole vaulter wins Olympic medal covered in blood

The biggest news from Monday night's electric pole vault event at the 2024 Paris Olympics was of Sweden's Armand Duplantis setting a new world record . However, Team USA's Sam Kendricks exhibited incredible bravery en route to a silver medal finish that may have gone unnoticed.

After failing to clear the 6.0 meters mark three times in the finals at Stade de France, Kendricks realized that his spikes had punctured his hand, causing blood to drip profusely. Instead of seeking medical assistance, Kendricks wiped off the blood across his arms and set course for his fourth attempt.

The fourth time was the charm as Kendricks cleared 5.95 meters to finish second on the podium. While he couldn't attain his desired target of 6.0 meters, Kendricks was thrilled to claim his first Olympic silver medal, eight years after he won bronze at the Rio Games.

Following his medal celebration, Kendricks admitted he wasn't willing to let a little blood stop him from pursuing Olympic glory for his country. The patriotic 31-year-old also didn't want to smear blood across his uniform — particularly the Old Glory — and therefore wiped it all over his arm.

"I've got very sharp spikes," Kendricks said, via USA Today . "As I was really committing to first jump at six meters, I punctured my hand three times and it wouldn't stop bleeding. And rather than wipe it on my nice uniform, I had to wipe it on my arm. I tried not to get any blood on Old Glory for no good purposes."

As seen in the photo below, Kendricks' arms were covered in blood when made his ascent.

Monday's finish also marked a sweet redemption for Kendricks after he missed the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to controversy. Kendricks was in Japan for the delayed Games but was forced to return home after he tested positive for COVID-19. The veteran vaulter argued it was a false positive as he did not feel sick, even urging the organizers to re-test him. The issue became so contentious that Kendricks threatened to pull out of the 2024 Paris Olympics as he felt wronged by the IOC three years ago.

While Kendrick still feels "bitter" about how the Tokyo situation was handled, he's happy to put the past behind him and secure another Olympic medal for his country.

"Rather than run away from it [the controversy], like I really wanted to, you gotta come back, you gotta face that lion," Kendricks said of returning to the Olympic stage in Paris.