
After an exciting and turbulent Olympic trials, track and field star Kendall Ellis is scheduled to compete in the 400-meter race at her second Games this summer.
Ellis set a new personal best in the 400-meter event twice in a row, on June 22 in the Olympic trials semifinals and the following day in the finals. After finishing the distance in 49.46 seconds, she took first place in the competition.
Ellis remarked, “It was incredible,” citing the fact that it was her first personal record in six years. “I really outdid myself to finally nail it at such a crucial point in an important year and then do it again the next day.”
Ellis referred to her achievement as “delayed but not denied,” recalling the years of effort she had to put in to surpass her prior personal record.
Ellis previously took home gold in the Olympic women’s 4×400-meter relay and bronze in the mixed 4×400-meter relay.
However, Ellis’s thrilling experience during the semifinal race wasn’t limited to setting a new personal best. Ellis was unable to open a porta-potty, which confined her just minutes before she had to run.
“I eventually gave up and just began banging while yelling for assistance. Thank goodness, one of the workers nearby heard me, and our combined forces managed to jam the lock. And I managed to escape,” Ellis recollected. “That eliminated all the anxiety and adrenaline because, really, how terrifying is a 400 after being imprisoned in a 4×4 box?”
Ellis will compete in an individual race at the Paris Games, in contrast to the Tokyo Olympics.
“With the success I had in Tokyo, I’m carrying that over to Paris and going in much more confident and assured of myself,” she remarked.
Ellis, who continues to train at USC, expressed her gratitude for the support from the school and the Los Angeles communities, regardless of whether she competes in Paris or anywhere else in the world.
“It’s really pleasant to be at the practice, seeing people recognize you and sending their best wishes and good luck,” the Olympian remarked. “I will most certainly bring that with me to Paris.”