Marileidy Paulino Makes History with Olympic Record in Women’s 400m at Paris 2024
Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic shattered the Olympic record on her way to a brilliant gold medal in the women’s 400m at the Paris 2024 Games. Her victory is historic, marking the first time a woman from the Dominican Republic has won an Olympic gold medal.
“This is the best of my life, absolutely it is,” Paulino exclaimed following her triumph. “I saw myself as very strong, I’ve worked so hard, and now I have an Olympic record.”
The 27-year-old completed the race in 48.17 seconds, cheered on by a near-capacity crowd at Stade de France. She finished ahead of Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser, who claimed silver in 48.53 seconds, and Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek, who took bronze in 48.98 seconds.
Paulino’s journey to the Olympic podium began only eight years ago when she took up athletics to support her family. Reflecting on her achievement, she said, “For me this gold medal means a lot. It was the medal that I needed to complete an Olympic cycle, and it is a medal that my country needed. The truth is that it was worth it because I think it will inspire many young people who are in a precarious situation; many doors will open for them because of me.”
Entering the race as the favorite, having secured gold at the World Championships in Budapest the previous year, Paulino delivered a performance that will be remembered as the pinnacle of her career. The crowd’s enthusiastic support undoubtedly fueled her record-breaking run.
Silver medallist Eid Naser expressed mixed emotions after the race: “I cannot even begin to put into words what this means. I am happy and at the same time, I am sad.”
Paulino’s historic win not only cements her legacy in athletics but also serves as an inspiration to future generations in her home country and beyond.
