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The 2012 Olympic champion finished fifth in the final of the 400 meters in Paris, a commendable feat considering the numerous challenges he has faced sine 2016, including illness and the deaths of both his mother and coach
Grenadian 400-meter icon Kirani James has shared how his journey through setbacks and adjustments during the 2024 season has strengthened his outlook for the future.
The first man in 400-meter history to achieve a full set of Olympic medals, James holds an impressive record with gold from the 2012 London Olympics, silver from Rio 2016, and bronze from Tokyo 2020.
He is also Grenada’s first Olympic medalist and holds the national record in both the 200 and 400 meters.
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18:37 - 19.08.2024
'I didn't do this alone'-Quincy Hall narrates a journey of pain and glory in Paris Olympics 400m gold victory
Quincy Hall has reflected on his emotional journey to winning 400m gold at the Paris Olympics.
James has faced significant personal and health challenges over the past few years. Shortly after his silver in Rio, he was diagnosed with Graves' disease, an autoimmune disorder leading to hyperthyroidism.
Tragedy struck again in 2019 with the passing of his mother, Annie, from kidney disease, followed by injuries that delayed his competitive season. The recent loss of his long-time coach, Harvey Glance, to a cardiac arrest in 2023, further compounded the uncertainty in James’s athletic career.
Despite these hardships, James expressed a sense of optimism about his progress and recent performances. He finished fifth at the Paris 2024 Olympics, with America’s Quincy Hall winning the gold medal. Matthew Hudson Smith of Great Britain and Zimbabwe’s Muzala Samukonga clinched silver and bronze respectively.
However, James remained upbeat considering the fact he has now accepted the situation after a long moment of “doubts”
James told SportsMax TV: “I feel very positive. Even if I didn’t make the podium, there was still a positive feeling. Sometimes when competing at that level and not reaching the podium, you can get caught up on the minor details. But staying competitive at that level reassures me.”
James candidly spoke about the uncertainty that followed Glance’s passing, especially regarding his training routine:
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13:45 - 26.10.2024
'I didn't like it' - Justin Gatlin calls out Netflix's 'SPRINT' for inauthentically antagonising Fred Kerley & Co against Noah Lyles
The American sprint legend has called out the Box-to-Box-produced Netflix show Sprint for unfair coverage of sprinters, including Fred Kerley.
“When you lose someone who’s been coaching you for a long time, it’s not easy...there’s always that little element of doubt: ‘Am I doing the right things? Am I taking enough rest?’”
Yet, his performances under new coach Chris Lawrence helped validate the adjustments and gave him confidence moving forward.
Looking ahead, James is focused on eliminating those “little foggy moments” and building on the foundation laid during the 2024 season.
“The new season will be about building up on that and not having those little doubts," he said, emphasizing his aim to continue strong performances, especially on the Olympic stage.
With his determination and resilient spirit, Kirani James remains a formidable presence in the sport and a source of inspiration in Grenada and beyond.
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