Former K-State high jumper upgraded to gold from silver for 2012 Olympics

Former Kansas State high jumper Erik Kynard Jr. finally got his gold medal — nine years after being denied the honor by a cheating Russian athlete.

Ivan Ukhov, who came in first over Kynard in 2012 London games, was among 12 Russian track and field athletes found guilty of taking part in “systematic doping” scheme. The ruling came down Friday from the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The former Wildcat tweeted in response to the news: “I’d like that 2014 WIC Medal Upgrade as a part of my reparations package as well.”

https://twitter.com/Erik_Kynard/status/1379812115519664133

The ban length now overlaps with the London Olympics after the CAS cut the length of Ukhov’s ban from its original four years to two years and nine months.

Former K-State high jumper Erik Kynard Jr. is officially an Olympic gold medalist.

Ivan Ukhov of Russia, who placed first over Kynard in 2012, was found guilty of taking part in “systematic doping” today by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. https://t.co/3yCEpjt3On

— Marleah Campbell (@MarleahKCTV5) April 7, 2021