Record-breaking Paulino flies to Olympic 400m gold
An Olympic record of 48.17 took Marileidy Paulino to a brilliant women’s 400m gold in Paris on Friday (August 9).
The reigning world champion dominated the Stade de France final and broke the mark of 48.25 set by Frenchwoman Marie Jose Perec at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. Paulino flew home ahead of 2019 world champion Salwa Eid Naser (48.53) and European champion Natalie Kaczmarek (48.98) to become the first woman from Dominican Republic to become an Olympic champion.
After fourth place at last year's World Championships, Ireland’s Rhasidat Adeleke finished just outside of the medals again, with 49.28, while Amber Anning produced the run of her life to break the British record with 49.29.
It was a blisteringly quick race and, for the first eve,r three women dipped under the 49-second mark in a 400m contest. Every competitor ran faster than 50 seconds.
"It's the only medal that I was missing to complete the Olympic cycle,” Paulino said. "I'm very thankful to God, for myself, for my job. I have been working really hard to achieve this goal.
“I'm very happy, I still cannot believe that just happened. It was either going for the world record or the Olympic record, and thank God, I achieved the Olympic record.
"I want to dedicate this medal to my team, my coach, my family, the Dominican people that have been watching me and cheering for me.”
Anning, who helped her nation to Mixed Relay bronze and will also feature in the 4x400m relay final on Saturday's closing session at the Stade de France, broke the national mark of 49.41 set by Christine Ohuruogu during her world title winning run back in 2013.
"I just went for it and gave everything," said Anning. "I wanted more but the national record is something I’ve been chasing all season. To get it in the best competition in the world, I can’t complain."
More to follow
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