Jeff Henderson became the first American to win the long jump in 12 years.
It was an emotional homecoming for Olympic gold medalist Jeff Henderson when the long jumper dedicated his triumph to his ailing mother.
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Henderson returned to McAlmont, Arkansas, from Rio Wednesday and decided to give his gold medal to his mother, Debra, who has been battling Alzheimer’s for the last decade.
In an Instagram post, the Olympian said: "Mom this is for you," as he laid the medal on top of an American flag blanket that covered his mother in bed.
The 27-year-old track-and-field star promised his mother he would win gold and dedicated his performance to her prior to the Rio Games.
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The long jumper fulfilled his promise and became the first American man to win the event since Dwight Phillips in the 2004 Athens games.
Henderson jumped 8.38 meters — 27 feet, 6 inches.
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