A blistering time at the Olympic Trials means Nia Akins is bound for Paris
Nia Akins wins the women’s 800-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Monday, June 24, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Early in her career, there was little to suggest that Nia Akins would eventually become America’s top hope for an Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter run.
Akins’ winning time of 1 minute, 57.36 seconds is No. 4 in the world this year, behind the 1:55.78 by Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson, who is heading to this summer’s Paris Olympics. “She was told not to expect much because no one who majored in the tough nursing school had been able to balance that with track,” said her high school coach, Terry Dockery.
“It still hasn’t hit me,” said Akins. “I was just excited to race going into the Trials and I really had no strategy — I just wanted one of the top three spots to qualify. With 200 meters remaining, I decided to go for it. My thought was, ‘if it happens, it happens.’ Akins said she knew what to expect on everything, from being interviewed post-race to being completely outfitted with Team USA apparel, choosing a blue uniform. She received similar treatment the year before after qualifying for the World Championships
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