Benjamin Dethrones Warholm to Win Gold in Olympic 400m Hurdles

In a thrilling men's 400m hurdles final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rai Benjamin of the United States finally secured the elusive gold medal, clocking an impressive time of 46.46 seconds. The 27-year-old had previously missed out on the top podium in Tokyo 2020, where he earned a silver medal just behind Norway's Karsten Warholm. However, in Paris, Benjamin turned the tables, delivering a dominant performance that left Warholm, the reigning Olympic champion and world record holder, to settle for silver with a time of 47.06 seconds.

The race was highly anticipated, featuring a star-studded lineup that included Brazil's Alison dos Santos, the 2022 World Champion, who ultimately claimed the bronze in 47.26 seconds. The competition was fierce, with the lead changing hands several times over the grueling 400 meters. As the athletes approached the final 100 meters, Benjamin surged ahead, displaying remarkable strength and precision over the last few hurdles. Warholm, who had been trailing closely, stumbled slightly in the final stretch, sealing Benjamin’s victory.

For Benjamin, this gold was not just a medal; it was a moment of redemption and personal triumph. "I've been doing it all season. To get it done here when it really matters, when everyone said I couldn't, it means so much to me," Benjamin said after the race, visibly emotional as he embraced his family and friends in the crowd.

Raj Benjamin: “It feels great, to be honest. I finally got it done. This colour of this medal has eluded me for so long, and to get it done in this fashion, in front of my friends and family just means so much to me. In a way the weight has lifted. I don’t think I ever doubted it, it was was more about staying patient and patient, and keep showing up every day. I told myself:’It has to go my way at some point. It went my way today and that’s all I can ask for. I know my final 200 metres is lethal and I know that I can outrun anyone at that point in the race. I just relied on that, trusted what I have I have done all season”

Karsten Warholm: 

“Raj did a great job. Whover takes it is the better man on the day. In my head, I deserved it as well, but it is not charity. Everybody is doing what they can to ne a better man, and today it was him. I have to smile a little bit about the silver medal. The level is super high”.  

MEN'S 400M HURDLES FINAL RESULTS

FINAL