The rivalry between Cuban athletes Pedro Pablo Pichardo, now representing Portugal, and Jordan Díaz of Spain has reached a boiling point following their performances at the European Athletics Championships. The event witnessed one of the finest triple jump competitions in history.
Díaz, just 23 years old, achieved a remarkable jump of 18.18 meters, securing the gold medal and setting new Spanish and continental records. This jump also ranks as the third-best of all time, just 11 centimeters shy of the world record held by Britain's Jonathan Edwards. However, the competition was fiercely contested, with Pichardo leaping to 18.04 meters to claim the silver medal. Unexpectedly, Pichardo has openly questioned the validity of Díaz's winning jump.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Pichardo voiced his doubts about Díaz's jump, asking, "Why did the electronic measuring device turn off at that moment? How do we know it was really 18.18 meters?" The Olympic and world champion expressed his desire for European Athletics, World Athletics, and the officials involved to quickly clarify what happened in the pit when the Spanish athlete made his remarkable jump.
Pichardo continued, "In a competition of this level, it's not normal to achieve such a great mark with the electronic device turned off." He also noted that his rival celebrated without even realizing where he had landed because the device was already off, suggesting that Díaz seemed to know he had surpassed Pichardo even before the measurement was taken.
Undoubtedly, Pichardo's actions have added fuel to the controversy among athletes trained in the Cuban school of jumping, who are seen as top contenders for the title at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both athletes showcased excellent form during the qualifications and exchanged several pointed messages in interviews conducted in the mixed zone.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pichardo-Díaz Triple Jump Controversy
The recent dispute between Pedro Pablo Pichardo and Jordan Díaz has raised several questions. Below, we address some of the most common inquiries regarding this high-profile incident.
Why did Pedro Pablo Pichardo question the validity of Jordan Díaz's jump?
Pichardo questioned the validity of Díaz's jump because the electronic measuring device turned off at the moment of the jump, leading him to doubt the recorded distance of 18.18 meters.
What records did Jordan Díaz set with his jump?
Jordan Díaz set new Spanish and continental records with his jump of 18.18 meters, which is also the third-best jump of all time.
What actions has Pedro Pablo Pichardo requested from athletics organizations?
Pichardo has called for European Athletics, World Athletics, and the judges involved to provide a rapid response and clarification regarding the events that occurred during Díaz's jump.