World record holder in the 100m hurdles, Tobi Amusan, is set to return to the track at the Stade de France today as she competes in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, The PUNCH reports.
Amusan secured her spot in the semi-finals on Wednesday, clocking a time of 12.49 seconds. She finished ahead of the USA’s Alaysha Johnson, who came in second at 12.61 seconds, and Janeek Brown, who took third with 12.84 seconds.
In today’s semi-finals, the Nigerian star will face a formidable field that includes reigning world champion Danielle Williams, USA’s Grace Stark, and Devynne Charlton of the Bahamas, among others. The top two finishers in each of the three semi-final races will automatically advance to Saturday’s final, along with the two fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
Amusan, who recorded the second-fastest time in the heats, was only surpassed by Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn of Puerto Rico, who ran a time of 12.42 seconds.
The 27-year-old hurdler expressed confidence after her first-round performance, noting that her journey to the Olympics has been one of growth and experience.
“The first time I came as an Olympian, I was like 18/19; the second time, I think I was a little bit experienced, and I didn’t get on the podium. This time I think, it’s my season,” Amusan said, reflecting on her progression as she competes in her third consecutive Olympic semi-final.
Carrying the hopes of Nigeria for a medal, Amusan has shown exceptional form leading up to the Paris 2024 Games. She set a season’s best and world-leading time of 12.40 seconds at the Jamaican Athletics Invitational in May. Earlier in the year, she broke the African 60m hurdles indoor record twice, and in March, she secured her third consecutive African Games title in Ghana. She also anchored the women’s 4x100m team to gold in Accra and clinched victory at the African Championships in Cameroon.
Amusan’s impressive career includes being a three-time Diamond League winner, two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist, two-time African champion, and three-time African Games gold medallist. Paris 2024 marks her third Olympic appearance, following her participation in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
