Olympics 2024: Discus thrower Allman, pole vaulter Kendricks win US medals

Sam Kendricks appreciates the Olympics again. Valarie Allman never stopped.

It's just the healing power that medals have to mend and reinforce feelings.

In a short span Monday night, Allman won her second straight Olympic title in the discus throw, while Kendricks captured silver in a pole vault competition that featured Sweden's Armand Mondo Duplantis breaking his own world record.

The medals from Allman and Kendricks, 31, gave the U.S. 11 so far in the meet, including three golds.

Three years ago in Tokyo, Kendricks didn't get the chance to compete. He was placed in isolation because of a positive COVID-19 test and didn't feel supported by Olympic officials.

It led to some pretty hard feelings feelings that had the Mississippi native wondering if he even wanted to compete in Paris.

His love-loathe relationship is back on path to love after he earned a silver medal. It pairs with the bronze he captured at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.

I was definitely bitter, Kendricks said.