Nigerian hurdler Tobi Amusan has once again proven his mettle on the world stage at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Amusan, the world record holder in the women’s 100-meter hurdles, booked her place in the semi-finals with a confident performance in her heat.
Amusan clocked a time of 12.49 seconds, comfortably outpacing her rivals. American Alaysha Johnson and Jamaican Janeek Brown were second and third respectively. This is Amusan’s third consecutive Olympic semi-final appearance, underscoring her consistent excellence in the sport.
The 23-year-old has amassed an impressive trophy cabinet, including victories at the African Championships, Diamond League, Commonwealth Games and World Championships. However, she has yet to win an Olympic medal. Having started strongly in Paris, Amusan is determined to change that and add Olympic gold to her list of achievements.
Amusan’s journey to the top has been challenging. In 2023, she faced doping violations for missing three drug tests, which could have resulted in a significant suspension. However, an appeals panel overturned the suspension, allowing her to compete at the World Championships, where she finished sixth. The Athletics Integrity Unit has appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the outcome is still uncertain.
Despite the controversy, Amusan remains focused on her running performance. Her performance in the first leg of the Paris Olympics showed her resilience and determination to succeed.
