Canada’s Derek Drouin gets his silver medal — 12 years late. Here’s why
Global News
Both Derek Drouin and American Erik Kynard's medals were upgraded to silver and gold respectively after Russia's Ivan Ukhov was stripped of gold for a doping violation.
Canadian high jumper Derek Drouin has been belatedly awarded an Olympic silver medal in a ceremony at the Paris Games.
Drouin stood alongside American Erik Kynard, who was awarded the gold in the same event, as the two had their medals placed around their necks 12 years after the original performances.
Kynard and Drouin were originally awarded silver and bronze at the 2012 London Olympics, but were both upgraded after Russia’s Ivan Ukhov was stripped of the gold for a doping violation.
Drouin was one of 10 Olympians who were presented with so-called “reallocated” medals during today’s ceremony at the space known as Champion’s Park, at the Trocadero venue in Paris.
The International Olympic Committee confirmed in 2021 that Drouin would retroactively receive the silver along with Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar and Robert Grabarz of Great Britain, who tied his score.
Drouin, from Corunna, Ont., went on to win a gold medal in the high jump at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and is now retired from the sport.
