Kansas State's Erik Kynard gave the United States another medal on Tuesday, this one a silver in the men's high jump with a mark of 2.33 meters. The Toledo, Ohio native finished just behind Russia's Ivan Ukhov, who took the gold with a mark of 2.38 meters. Qatar's Mutaz Essa Barshim took the bronze medal with a mark of 2.29 meters.
Kynard told the Cleveland Plain Dealer that with his noticeable high socks - decorated with the American flag - there's no way he wouldn't medal:
“No way,” Kynard said. “I had to represent. I had to. You can't wear these socks and finish second. My mom's gonna kill me.”
The senior at KSU has spent most of these Olympic Games being noticed as a Kobe Bryant look-a-like:
“I tried to win the gold so I could let the world know my name is Erik Kynard, Jr., not Kobe Jr.” Kynard said. “But hey, maybe they'll appreciate my silver and call me Erik now.”
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