VERMILLION, S.D. (KELO AM and KWSN) University of South Dakota Pole Vaulting Coach Derek Miles on Monday received the long delayed Bronze Medal for the pole vault in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
"Sincerely appreciative of everybody to have this opportunity to have this medal. Thank you very much. Go Yotes!" said Miles before U.S. Senator John Thune (R) placed the medal around his neck to a standing ovation.
Miles came in fourth in the pole vault back in 2008, but about five months ago, the man who won the Bronze, a Ukrainian, was disqualified after a doping investigation.
The head of the U.S. Olympic Committee, Scott Blackmun, came to Vermillion to help bestow the belated honor during the special ceremony, complete with the Olympics theme music.
"Derek should have received this Olympic medal nine years. He should have stood on the medal stand in Beijing, alongside his fellow medalists and while we can't go back to the 2008 Olympic Games, we can right that wrong today,"
Miles teared up when he talked about his wife and coach always sticking by him. He said everyone at USD and in South Dakota has really helped him along the way.
