Rai Benjamin
Photo by: Abigail Dollins/Statesman Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
Rai Benjamin Wins 400m Hurdles at U.S. Olympic Team Trials
July 01, 2024 | Track & Field, Olympics
LOS ANGELES โ Bruin alumnus Rai Benjamin has punched his ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, placing first in the 400m hurdle finals at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Eugene, Ore., on Sunday.
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Benjamin posted a meet record and world-leading time of 46.46 at Hayward Field. His mark is the fifth fastest time ever run and the third-fastest performance ever by an American. The hurdler last represented Team U.S.A. at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, earning gold with the men's 4x400m relay and silver in the men's 400m hurdles.
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Justin Stafford also finished on the podium in his event, launching a personal-best mark of 77.07m to claim bronze in the hammer throw. Kris Emig also competed in the event, finishing 23rd at the Trials with a mark of 66.68m.
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For the full list of Bruin competitors in Eugene, see below.
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UCLA Representatives at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Rai Benjamin โ men's 400m hurdles โ 1st, 46.46
Justin Stafford โ men's hammer throw โ 3rd, 77.07m (252-10)
Kris Emig โ men's hammer throw โ 23rd, 66.68m (218-9)
Mayyi Mahama โ women's hammer throw โ 19th, 63.65m (208-10)
Michael Pinckney โ men's discus โ 18th, 57.77m (189-6)
Willington Wright โ men's 400m โ 21st, 45.55
Ka'Leila Abrille โ women's pole vault โ 14th, 4.35m (14-3 ยผ)
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Benjamin posted a meet record and world-leading time of 46.46 at Hayward Field. His mark is the fifth fastest time ever run and the third-fastest performance ever by an American. The hurdler last represented Team U.S.A. at the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the summer of 2021, earning gold with the men's 4x400m relay and silver in the men's 400m hurdles.
ย
Justin Stafford also finished on the podium in his event, launching a personal-best mark of 77.07m to claim bronze in the hammer throw. Kris Emig also competed in the event, finishing 23rd at the Trials with a mark of 66.68m.
ย
For the full list of Bruin competitors in Eugene, see below.
ย
UCLA Representatives at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials
Rai Benjamin โ men's 400m hurdles โ 1st, 46.46
Justin Stafford โ men's hammer throw โ 3rd, 77.07m (252-10)
Kris Emig โ men's hammer throw โ 23rd, 66.68m (218-9)
Mayyi Mahama โ women's hammer throw โ 19th, 63.65m (208-10)
Michael Pinckney โ men's discus โ 18th, 57.77m (189-6)
Willington Wright โ men's 400m โ 21st, 45.55
Ka'Leila Abrille โ women's pole vault โ 14th, 4.35m (14-3 ยผ)
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Players Mentioned
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