PARIS, France — Ackelia Smith leapt further into the Olympic digests with a second-successive final appearance and another top-eight placing amongst the world’s best long jumpers at the Stade de France on Thursday.

The University of Texas student, still only 22, eventually finished eighth with a best jump — from her first attempt — of 6.66 metres, which was well inside her capabilities and personal best of 7.08m.

And Smith, who was seventh in the triple jump final the previous Saturday, had every right to be proud of her achievements, especially against the backdrop of her academic studies.

She began the medal-deciding competition with a promising ‘marker’ that left her lying fifth after an opening round which the United States’ Jasmine Moore led with 6.96m.

Triple collegiate champion Smith maintained her position to earn the final three attempts awarded to the top eight, just as she had in the triple jump.

But, as defending champion Malaika Mhambo, from Germany, eventual gold medallist Tara David-Woodhall, also from the USA, and others gradually improved their best leaps, Smith was unable to get into the rhythm which has already twice netted her a National Championship, and she slid slowly down the leaderboard.

“It has been a great experience and I’m so happy to make it this far and representing my country in an Olympic final at both events,” said the quiet-spoken yet always-bubbly athlete.

“I gave it my best but unfortunately my performance wasn’t quite good enough, but I’m confident that a lot of people back home will have been proud of me too.

“The first jump gets you into the final and then I pushed it and unfortunately some of them [the following jumps] had little technical difficulties.

“I’m looking to forego my last year at college and concentrate on my professional career and that will allow me to focus on the events that really matter and peak at the right time.”

Smith is making a habit of doing both horizontal jumps at major events, having done the same at her maiden World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in 2023, and sees no reason to change her strategy, adding:

“As long as I’m healthy I can make it into the top eight at both events, so why not?”

She continued: “I’m not sure what is next [this season], as at the moment I have school and some internships but, if I have the chance, I would love to come back to Europe for some of the remaining Diamond League meetings.

“But I also still have to focus on my last semester at school.”