Chris Benard

Born on April 4, 1990, in Tustin, California, Chris Benard developed his athletic career specializing in the triple jump. He attended Santiago High School in Corona, California, before furthering his education and athletic pursuits at Riverside City College and later Arizona State University. During his collegiate career, Benard earned eight All-American honors, demonstrating strong performances in both long jump and triple jump. Notably, he secured a runner-up position at the 2012 NCAA Men’s Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships and won the community college edition of the Mt SAC Relays in 2009 with a personal best in the triple jump.

Benard turned professional in 2013 and has since represented the United States numerous times on the international stage. His career includes nine representations for Team USA across two Summer Olympics, four World Athletics Championships, and three NACAC Championships. He achieved a significant personal record in the triple jump of 17.48m in 2017, a mark that contributed to his third-place finish at the 2016 United States Olympic Trials and his subsequent Olympic debut. His consistent performance led to a sixth-place finish at the 2017 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2022 NACAC Championships. Benard continues to compete at an elite level, demonstrating his enduring commitment to the sport.

His career progression is marked by steady improvements and sustained presence in major athletics events. From securing silver at the 2012 NACAC U23 Championships to achieving multiple top-three finishes at the USA Track and Field Championships, Benard has established himself as a prominent figure in the triple jump. He has also been part of the United States Olympic team in 2016 and 2020 (held in 2021) and various World Athletics Championships teams, showcasing his value as a national and international competitor.