After a 24-year wait, the United States finally has an Olympic champion in weightlifting. Olivia Reeves, 21, born three years after Tara Notts won Team USA’s last weightlifting gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, topped the women’s 71kg (156 lbs.) competition at the 2024 Paris Games Friday. Reeves, a native of Chattanooga, Tennessee, successfully completed each of her first five lifts — including an Olympic record snatch of 117kg (258 lbs.) which nearly took her off the platform — to win the competition with a total of 262kg (578 lbs.) at her debut Olympics. She became just the second American weightlifting gold medalist since 1956.
Reeves was perfect in the snatch round, converting on all three of her lifts to lead at the halfway point of the competition. She then converted on her first two attempts at the clean and jerk at 140kg and 145kg, respectively, at which point she had guaranteed herself the gold medal ahead of Colombia’s Mari Sanchez and Ecuador’s Angie Palacios. With her third and final attempt, Reeves went for a would-be clean and jerk Olympic record of 150kg. The clean came easy enough, but she could not quite get the jerk to stick. No additional Olympic record, but still no shortage of history for the greatest lifter the United States has produced in a generation.
Reeves’ historic gold medal came just two days after another historic American weightlifting performance. In the men’s 61kg (134 lbs.), 20-year-old Hampton Morris won bronze to become the first American man to win an Olympic weightlifting medal in 40 years. Not before the Paris Games had the U.S. won medals in both men's and women's weightlifting at the same Olympics.
Breaking Records and Expectations
Reeves' victory was a testament to her unwavering dedication and talent. Her Olympic record snatch of 117kg (258 lbs.) showcased her exceptional strength and technical prowess. Reeves' performance was a culmination of years of dedicated training and a commitment to excellence. She's already being lauded as one of the generation's greatest weightlifters, and with her exceptional strength and dedication, she has the potential to break world records and dominate the sport for years to come.
A Legacy in the Making
Reeves' gold medal is a significant milestone in American weightlifting history. It marks the end of a 24-year drought for the U.S. in Olympic weightlifting gold. The last time the U.S. brought home a gold medal was in 2000, at the Sydney Games. That was the first Olympic Games that included women’s weightlifting as part of the program. Reeves' victory serves as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring weightlifters, particularly young women, demonstrating the potential for success in this demanding sport. Her story is a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and unwavering belief in oneself.
The Future of American Weightlifting
Olivia Reeves' triumph signifies a promising future for American weightlifting. With a new generation of talented athletes emerging, the U.S. is poised to become a dominant force in the sport. Reeves' victory is a catalyst for change, motivating young athletes and rekindling interest in weightlifting across the country. With her remarkable achievements and her inspirational story, Olivia Reeves is not only a champion, but a symbol of hope and a testament to the power of human potential.
The Weight of History
Reeves' victory is more than just a gold medal; it's a symbol of a nation's resurgence in a sport. She carries the weight of history on her shoulders, breaking a 24-year drought and ushering in a new era of American weightlifting dominance. As she celebrates her triumph, the world eagerly awaits what she will achieve next. The future of American weightlifting is bright, and Reeves is leading the charge.
