Paris Olympics highlights: Pickerington native wins silver in hammer throw

United States’ LeBron James flexes after scoring during a men’s basketball game against Brazil at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

by: Orri Benatar

Posted: Aug 6, 2024 / 07:00 AM EDT

Updated: Aug 6, 2024 / 11:01 PM EDT

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — It was a massive Tuesday at the Paris Olympics as multiple USA teams advanced in its tournaments and a central Ohio native claimed a medal.

Five track & field finals took place at the Stade de France Tuesday and two of them included Pickerington natives. Pick North grad Annette Echikunwoke claimed a silver medal in the hammer throw while Pick Central grad McKenzie Long finished seventh in the 200m final, which was won by Team USA’s Gabby Thomas.

It was a great night for the Americans on track & field with two double podiums on the track with Thomas joined by Brittany Brown (bronze) in the 200m final and Cole Hocker setting an Olympic record to win a stunning 1500m final and Yared Nuguse finishing third.

Team USA’s women’s soccer team ousted Germany in extra time to make the final while men’s basketball, women’s water polo and women’s volleyball booked semifinal places. Beach volleyball pair Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng lost in the quarters, clinching the first medal-less Olympics for USA beach volleyball since 2000.