Ethan Lewandowski Assistant Director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund | LinkedIn
Ethan Lewandowski Assistant Director of the Chippewa Athletic Fund | LinkedIn
PARIS, France — History was made by Alex Rose.
In July, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rose expressed confidence in an interview with Central Michigan Athletics.
"I really think I have a shot at being the first Pacific Islander (in 68 years) to make an Olympic final," said the CMU Track and Field alum. "I think that would be really cool."
The three-time Olympian achieved this milestone on Monday at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Rose recorded a mark of 62.88m in his group, competing alongside New Zealand's Connor Bell—who also threw 62.88m—for the sixth and final spot in the finals. Rose's throw surpassed Bell's by one centimeter.
Before Rose, Fiji's Mesulame Rakuro was the last Pacific Islander to make an Olympic final, having done so in the Discus throw in 1956 where he finished 15th.
Rose competed in the final on Wednesday, finishing in 12th place overall with a mark of 61.89m.
This was Rose’s third Olympic appearance representing Team Samoa, having previously competed in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020. However, it was his first time reaching the final stage.
Residing in Grand Rapids, Rose competed for the Chippewa Track and Field team from 2010 to 2014. Under Olympic rules, because his father is a native of Samoa, Rose is eligible to represent the country.
Earlier this year, Rose threw a personal-best of 71.48 meters, which is the second-longest throw worldwide for 2024 and ranks as the 11th-longest in history.
"To me this validates every sacrifice I have made for the last decade or more," Rose wrote on Instagram. "… Every competition I spent away from my wife and son wondering if what I was doing was worth it. Every single second counted- because every single centimeter counted."
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