Decathlon Sponsored Athlete, Jamal Hill, Medals at 2021 Tokyo Paralympics

September 28, 2021

Hill wins bronze and sets new American record in the 50-meter freestyle for Team USA

SAN FRANCISCO (September 28, 2021) — Decathlon, the world’s largest sporting goods retailer, is proud to announce that sponsored athlete, Jamal Hill took home a bronze medal in the 50m free at the Tokyo Summer Paralympics. The win also set an American record, and a personal best for Hill.

Like Decathlon, Hill is also committed to bringing sports to everybody. His organization, Swim Up Hill, aims to annually teach 1 million primarily low-income people to swim by 2028, a goal that illustrates Hill’s commitment to himself and others, and is part of what makes him such an inspiring athlete.

“Decathlon is beyond proud of Jamal, and his incredible showing at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics,” said Jennifer Tetrick, Head of Communications and Public Relations at Decathlon. “The work he’s doing with Swim Up Hill is what drew us together this year, and his excellence as a human and athlete shines through in everything he does. He is truly helping to bring sports to everybody.”

With his win, Hill cemented his status as one of the world’s premier paralympic swimmers. Since 2018, when he took first in the 50 – and 100-meter freestyle events and 2nd in the 100-meter backstroke, Hill has quickly become one of the sport’s premier athletes. At the 2019 ParaPan American Games, he won both an individual silver and team bronze medals, and broke the American Record in the S9 category in the men’s 50m freestyle at the Olympic qualifiers earlier this year.

“I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish in Tokyo,” Hill said. “I’m looking forward to more experiences like this, and to working with Decathlon to increase access to swim instruction and future excellence in the water to people of all creeds and colors”

Hill was among a slew of Decathlon sponsored athletes to compete at the Summer Games, though he was the only to medal. Racewalker Robyn Stevens placed 33rd in the 20km race walk with a final time of 1:37:42. Her partner, Nick Christie, finished 50th in the men’s 20km race walk with a final time of 1:34:37.

“We’re thrilled with the showing from Decathlon athletes at this year’s Olympics,” Tetrick said. “In a time when we often feel disconnected and isolated, their performances inspired us, and helped further Decathlon’s mission to expand access to sports across the globe.”

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About Decathlon

Decathlon, a leading company in the sports market, has two activities: the creation of sports products and its distribution of products online and in stores. Founded on the mission to make sports more accessible, Decathlon designs, innovates, produces and sells its own products for more than 80 sports. This vertical integration means that Decathlon is able to ensure the highest value at the best price point with the goal of increasing access to sports for people of all levels and abilities.

Founded and headquartered in France and active abroad in 70 countries with more than 1,600 points of sale, the services, brands and store teams have been working since 1976 with a constant ambition: to innovate in all areas to remain the main playing partner of all sports lovers. Decathlon’s mountain brand, Quechua, is based in the Mont Blanc Valley near Chamonix. It’s here that Decathlon’s team designs and tests outdoor gear & equipment.

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