Paris Olympics: Hurdler Lauren Hoffman also stays in medal hunt

Jamaica’s Janieve Russell (R) competes ahead of Czech Republic’s Nikoleta Jichova (C) and Philippines’ Lauren Hoffman (L) in the women’s 400m hurdles heat of the athletics event at the Paris Olympics 2024 at Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, on August 4, 2024. (Photo by Jewel SAMAD / AFP)

MANILA, Philippine—Team Philippines’ Lauren Hoffman will have to dig deep to win a medal in the Paris Olympics 2024 women’s 400m hurdles competition.

Much like his compatriot John Cabang Tolentino, Hoffman was relegated to the repechage phase after failing to qualify for an outright semis berth in the first round of the hurdle events.

In Heat 4, Hoffman finished as the last runner in eighth place after clocking 57.84 seconds at Stade de France on Sunday afternoon (Manila time).

READ: Lauren Hoffman keeps Paris Olympics plan humble

Her time was sufficient for a 37th-place finish but she’s still qualified for the repechage round where she could still nab a ticket to compete in the semifinals.

Anna Cockrell of USA emerged victorious with a time of 53.91 seconds. Lina Nielsen of Great Britain (54.65) and Janieve Russell of Jamaica (54.67) rounded out the qualifiers in the same heat as Hoffman’s.

The Netherlands’ Femke Bol tallied the fastest time at 53.38 seconds.

On Monday at 4:50 pm, Hoffman aims for a semifinal seat on Monday 4:50 p.m.