BEAVERTON, Ore. – Kibwe Johnson’s grandparents have someone special to cheer for in London.
Johnson won the men’s hammer throw at the U.S. Olympic trials with a throw of 245 feet, 11 inches Thursday to earn a trip to the London Games next month.
“My grandparents have been to every Olympics since 1976, I think,” he said. “And now they get to see me there.”
A.G. Kruger, who finished third with a throw of 242-6, also will represent the United States.
Second-place Chris Cralle, who threw 243-11, doesn’t have the Olympic “A” standard of 255-11 needed to qualify for the games. Both Johnson and Kruger had already met the mark.
On the women’s side, Amber Campbell, Amanda Bingson and Jessica Cosby earned spots on the U.S. Olympic team.
The event was held at Nike’s headquarters, about 110 miles north of where the rest of the Olympic trials will start today at Eugene’s Hayward Field.
Keelin Godsey, who was vying to become the first transgender to make the U.S. team, finished fifth at 231-3. Godsey was born a woman but identifies as a man.
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