Rai Benjamin Claims Gold in 400m Hurdles at Paris Olympics

Rai Benjamin has just made a huge splash at the Stade de France, upgrading his silver medal from the Tokyo Olympics to a shiny gold in the 400-meter hurdles. He not only took the top spot but did it by outpacing defending champion Karsten Warholm from Norway.

Benjamin finished with a time of 46.46 seconds, which was his seasonal best, showing he could deliver even though he was 0.29 seconds slower than his performance in Tokyo three years ago. Warholm, the world record holder, claimed the silver medal, finishing with a time of 47.06 seconds, while Brazil‘s Alison dos Santos snagged the bronze.

This win is significant for Benjamin, especially after facing injury issues over the last year. He dealt with a nerve flare-up in his back that affected his quadriceps and required him to take a break before last year’s world championships. Given these challenges, many were unsure about his chances in Paris.

Reflecting on the doubts he faced, Benjamin shared, “It does suck to see people doubting your abilities, not knowing the full story.” He stressed that this journey was about proving to himself that he could succeed, and winning here meant everything to him.

After missing out on gold in Tokyo, he was clearly emotional as he celebrated this victory in Paris. NBC’s Leigh Diffey announced, “It was tears in Tokyo, it is all smiles here in Paris. Rai Benjamin of Mount Vernon, New York, you are an Olympic champion!”

This win now places Rai Benjamin firmly in the spotlight, as he’s been consistent on the track this season and has established himself alongside Warholm and dos Santos as part of the “Big Three” in the 400m hurdles.

Benjamin isn’t just riding off this win; he has a remarkable history of achievements, now boasting three Olympic medals: gold in men’s 400m hurdles and silver in the same event, plus a gold in the men’s 4x400m relay from Tokyo.

At 27 years old and after celebrating his birthday on July 27 during the Olympics, Benjamin hails from the Bronx, New York. He attended Mount Vernon High School and made a name for himself in track after transferring from UCLA to USC, where he graduated in 2019.