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The Dominican Republic athlete became the new Olympics 400m champion and first female gold medallist from the country, after claiming the title in a new record at the Paris Games.
In a stunning display of speed and determination, Dominican sprinter Marileidy Paulino claimed the gold medal in the women's 400-meter final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Friday afternoon.
Her victory marks a historic moment for the Dominican Republic as Paulino becomes the first woman from the nation to win an Olympic gold medal and the first Dominican Olympian to achieve gold since Félix Sánchez's triumph in the 400m hurdles at the London 2012 Games.
Paulino's performance throughout the competition showcased her dominance and strategy. Having excelled in both the qualifying rounds and semi-finals, where she notably eased up before the finish line, Paulino emerged as a formidable contender.
Her previous near-miss in Tokyo, where she secured silver in both the individual 400m event and the mixed 4x400m relay, only fueled her determination to reach the top step of the podium in Paris.
The 27-year-old sprinter faced strong competition, notably from Bahraini Salwa Eid Nasser, the 2019 world champion, who posted the fastest semi-final time of 49.08 seconds. Polish sprinter Natalia Kacz Marek also presented a challenge. However, Paulino's remarkable run ensured her place at the pinnacle of the sport.
Paulino’s journey to Olympic gold is as inspiring as her performance. Born in Don Gregorio, a small town an hour from Santo Domingo, she grew up playing various pick-up sports.
Her natural athletic talent was first recognized at 18 during a handball game, leading to her recruitment by the Dominican athletics federation. Transitioning from handball to track and field, she joined the Dominican Air Force as a track athlete in 2015, with a focus that eventually shifted to the 400m in 2020.
While the current Olympic record for the women's 400m stands at 48.25 seconds, set by French runner Marie-José Pérec in Atlanta 1996, and the world record of 47.60 seconds has been held by German sprinter Marita Koch since 1985, Paulino’s performance in Paris was a testament to her incredible skill and perseverance.
With this victory, Marileidy Paulino not only elevates her personal achievements but also serves as an inspiration for athletes from her homeland and beyond, demonstrating that with dedication and hard work, dreams can indeed become reality.
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