London, England – Christian Taylor of the United States won the men's triple jump Thursday at the London Games, while teammate Will Claye grabbed silver.
Taylor, the reigning world champion, posted a winning jump of 17.81 meters, beating his countryman by .19 meters for gold. It's the first gold for the U.S. in men's triple jump since Kenny Harrison won the event at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Both Americans were competing at their first Olympics and they gave the U.S. gold and silver in this event for the first time since 1992 when Mike Conley beat Charlie Simpkins in Barcelona.
Fabrizio Donato of Italy won bronze with a jump of 17.48m. The 35-year-old is at his fourth Olympics, but this marked the first time he made it out of qualifying.
Defending Olympic champion Nelson Evora of Portugal was not able to compete at the London Games due to injury.
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