The Jamaican throwing community erupted in celebration and disbelief as Roje Stona secured a historic gold medal in the men’s discus throw on the seventh day of track and field competition at the 33rd Olympic Games at Stade de France in Paris. The 25-year-old former Rusea’s High and St Jago High standout threw a lifetime best of 70.00m, breaking the Olympic record of 69.97m set earlier in the competition by world record holder Mykolas Alekna of Lithuania.
Alekna, the pre-competition favorite, had earlier broken his father Virgilijus’ 20-year-old record of 69.89m, set at the Athens Games. However, Stona’s remarkable throw not only eclipsed Alekna’s new mark but also earned Jamaica its first-ever gold medal in a throwing event at the Olympics.
Stona’s victory marks Jamaica’s second throwing medal at these Games, following Rajindra Campbell’s bronze in the shot put with a throw of 22.15m on Saturday. Stona was one of three Jamaican men to qualify for the discus final, with Ralford Mullings finishing ninth with 65.61m and Traves Smikle placing 10th with 64.97m.
Veteran throws coach Michael Vassell, founder of Throws R Us, which organizes throws-only meets in Jamaica, expressed his pride in the achievement, crediting it to 25 years of sacrifice and hard work by the throwing community. “I am glad I planted a seed and was blessed to enjoy the shade,” Vassell told the Jamaica Observer. He emphasized the inspirational impact Stona’s success will have on aspiring athletes, noting that “there are athletes here who would know Roje and have seen him compete here and they will believe they can get there too.”
Stona’s journey to Olympic glory is particularly remarkable given his athletic background. He was initially a high jumper and sprinter with aspirations of playing basketball before transitioning to throwing events. His former coaches, Marlon Gayle of St Jago High and Rodrick Myles of Rusea’s High, were not surprised by his success, having recognized his potential early on.
Gayle, who coached Stona for three years, described him as a “humble, focused and hard-working athlete” who has always been determined to excel. “This was always in the making, this was always a vision and I am happy that Roje finally joined the 70.00m club,” Gayle said. He added that Stona’s development benefited from being in an environment among great throwers like Ryan Crouser, the triple Olympic shot put champion who serves as Stona’s coach and mentor.
Rodrick Myles, who first coached Stona at Rusea’s High, recalled discovering his talent in physical education classes and noted his quick adaptation to throwing events after initially trying high jump and sprinting. “I always thought he was one of the better throwers around, and I am very happy for him,” Myles said.
Franz Forde, head coach at Immaculate Conception High, described Stona’s gold medal as “surreal,” highlighting its significance for the Jamaican throwing community. “This gold medal speaks wonders to what the coaches have been trying to do in Jamaica. We have seen it in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, but this is the first time we are seeing it in the Olympic Games and today we saw history,” Forde said.
Former national thrower Nadia Alexander-Pompey, now head coach at Lindenwood University in the United States, also celebrated the achievement, crediting the growth of throws competitions in Jamaica for providing more opportunities to athletes like Stona. She acknowledged the efforts of past and present coaches, stating, “It just goes to show that the cussing and fighting of coaches like Mr Vassell, Orville Byfield, Leroy Allison, all the throws coaches that came before the current one, it was worth it.”
Roje Stona’s historic win not only cements his place in Jamaican sports history but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of Jamaican throwers.
