Road to Tokyo
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Since 2017, it was a goal to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. I had managed my collegiate seasons, knowing I would want to be at my peak shape for the US Olympic Team Trials. Although, as we all know 2020 did not become the year anyone expected it to be. The Olympics were postponed to 2021, which ended up working in my favor and allowing me another year to prepare.
Through my 2021 NCAA season, I focused most of my efforts towards the 400 hurdles, considering that I was ranked amongst the top 5 in the U.S. in that event. I also grew towards the plan of competing in the 400 hurdles at U.S. Trials; however, when the official schedule for the meet was released, I noticed that there was a week in between the 400 meters and the 400 hurdles. Right then, my coach, who is also my dad, and I agreed to enter me in both and aim to make the team in both events.
As we fast forward to the U.S. Olympic Trials, the first event I competed in was the open 400 meters. I managed to make it through the rounds and advance to the finals, where I then qualified to be on the Olympic team relay pool! After much excitement, it was still a goal to compete in the 400 Hurdles the next weekend; however, my plan changed drastically.
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The day after I qualified for the Olympic Team, we had to call an ambulance and rush my dad to the hospital. While at the hotel, my dad had a sudden, sharp pain to his abdomen area and soon went septic. After spending a few hours in the ER, we found out that my dad’s colon had perforated and that he needed to be admitted to the hospital. At that point, my plan to run the 400 hurdles went out the window. My dad had to get an emergency surgery and then had to stay in the hospital in Eugene, Oregon for 2 weeks after.
While my dad remained in the hospital, I had to leave him and my mom to head back home to Los Angeles to train, considering that the Olympics were only a month away. It was very difficult to push myself to keep training without my dad coaching me, as he was in a hospital in a different state. He finally was able to make it back home a week before I left to Tokyo; however, due to health still not being in a good place, he was not able to come with me to Tokyo.
Although, my road to Tokyo did not go as planned. I still was able fulfill my goal of becoming an Olympian and was able to have a great Olympic experience! Now onto my road to Paris!