LONDON – Winning a third world championship, the most by any triple jumper in history, just wasn't good enough for Christian Taylor on Thursday night. Will Claye said the same of his silver medal.
Both Gator Greats wore their brightest smiles for cameras and reporters, jovially answering every question. After all, they had plenty to be happy about, and in some regards, they were.
Taylor, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who finished eight centimeters off the world record at the 2015 IAAF World Championships, became the first man to defend his world title. Claye earned World Championships silver for the first time in his career, having settled for bronze in 2011 and 2013. Both were ecstatic to add to the United States' medal count. Taylor was thrilled two Gators, two Americans (yes, he said it in that order) occupied the top podium spots once again.
Taylor and Claye always make sure to chomp after major victories. (Photo: Jeff Cohen)
Satisfaction, though? There was none of it. They came to London to break the world record. Medals were consolation prizes. But a win is a win, right?
"I'm training tomorrow," Taylor said of his celebration plans. "I'm a bit disappointed. I want to be the best ever. Unfortunately, every time the triple jump is announced, whether championship record or world record, it's going to be Jonathan (Edwards). That does hurt me a little bit. We don't train to be participants. We're training to be the best."
Claye, the No. 9-ranked triple jumper in history and reigning two-time Olympic silver medalist, has not garnered anywhere near as much attention as Taylor in pursuit of the world record. But Claye is every bit as talented, and his lack of fulfillment came from the fact this title was his for the taking.
This season has been the best of Claye's career, adding to his disappointment of settling for silver. (Photo: Jeff Cohen)
"I appreciate taking second, but I'm always going to have that chip on my shoulder," Claye said. "When I go back to work, I'm going to have that on my mind,
I got second. I don't ever want to get second again."
The two missed their ultimate goal, but the Claye-versus-Taylor rivalry continued its ascent to the sport's forefront.
Despite a somewhat anti-climactic ending, the first three rounds of this World Championships final were thrilling, with the two stars (entertainers, as they like to say) separating themselves from the field entirely. Claye took a massive lead on his opening jump. From there, they exchanged the lead three times, dazzling a crowd of 56,290.
Their proclivity for one-upping each other goes all the way back to their
training sessions at Florida. If one "moved the shoe," as they said in those days, the other responded. It remains the calling card of these head-to-head showdowns, which Claye likens to a sibling rivalry.
The two finished more than a foot clear of bronze medalist Nelson Evora, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2007 world champion. Such has become the expectation when they take the runway together.
"It's amazing watching on the field," Evora said. "It's great for them. It's great for all the athletes competing, because they dream to be between Will and Christian."
Rivalries often breed special performances, particularly when it is between two of the sport's most prominent figures. Think of some great modern rivalries—Brady and Manning, Federer and Nadal, Messi and Ronaldo, Woods and Mickelson, Serena and Venus Williams—and all the iconic moments they produced. Taylor even suggested this could be what Carl Lewis and Mike Powell were to track and field in the late 1980s and early 1990s. (That rivalry reached its peak at the 1991 World Championships, where both men leapt beyond the long jump world record.)
When questions about the world record arose, Claye and Taylor often answered using 'we,' not 'I' or 'me.' They know the world record is an impossibility unless they push each other.
Taylor is hoping moments like these precede a world record--for he or Claye.. (Photo: Jeff Cohen)
Although Edwards' 22-year-old record survived its most anticipated challenge to date, it is far from safe. There are numerous opportunities for Claye and Taylor still to come—even a couple this season. Edwards set the record at age 29. Claye turned 26 in June, while Taylor turned 27 the same month.
As Taylor said, the journey is far from its beginning, but also far from its end.
"He sees it in us. He sees we're capable of it," Claye said of conversations with Edwards about the world record. "You can feel him kind of starting to let it go. He knows that it's coming."
One of the most interesting questions Claye fielded all night referenced the quest for the first sub-four-minute mile. Everyone wanted to be the first to break that barrier. Are they racing to be the first one to break this world record?
Taylor shook his head emphatically before the reporter finished asking.
Claye's response prompted a nod of agreement and a wide smile from Taylor. It looked as though Claye moved that shoe in Taylor's head, just like old times.
"I feel like it's going to be who gets it last."
