Dominican sprinter Marileidy Paulino achieved a historic victory on Friday afternoon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, capturing the gold medal in the women’s 400-meter final while setting a new Olympic record. Her remarkable performance not only secured her a place in Olympic history but also made her the first woman from the Dominican Republic to win gold in this event.

Paulino’s win is significant for the Dominican Republic, marking the first gold medal for the country since Félix Sánchez triumphed in the 400m hurdles at the 2012 London Olympics. In the lead-up to the final, Paulino demonstrated her strength by dominating both the qualifying rounds and the semi-finals, often easing up in the final meters, a tactic that showcased her confidence and strategic prowess.

Previously, Paulino had come close to gold in Tokyo, where she earned silver medals in both the individual 400m and the mixed 4x400m relay. Determined to secure a gold medal in Paris, Paulino expressed her readiness to break records if necessary, and she delivered on that promise.

Paulino’s final time of 48.17 seconds surpassed the previous Olympic record of 48.25 seconds set by French sprinter Marie-José Pérec in Atlanta 1996. The world record of 47.60 seconds, held by German Marita Koch since 1985, remains unbeaten.

In the absence of reigning Olympic champion Shaunae Miller-Uibo from the Bahamas, Paulino faced strong competition from Bahraini sprinter Salwa Eid Nasser, the 2019 world champion, and Polish athlete Natalia Kaczmarek. Nasser had clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals, but Paulino proved to be the standout competitor.

At 27 years old, Paulino’s rise to prominence is remarkable given her modest beginnings. Growing up in Don Gregorio, a village an hour from Santo Domingo, she initially played pick-up sports before her talent was discovered while playing handball at age 18. Recruited by the Dominican athletics federation, she joined the Dominican Air Force as a track and field athlete, beginning her serious training in 2015.

Paulino’s journey from running barefoot to competing with her own pair of spikes is a testament to her dedication and perseverance. As a flag bearer for the Dominican Republic in the 2024 Paris Olympics, her gold medal win is a proud moment for her country and a significant milestone in her athletic career.