World Record holder Alexis Holmes shared how it was difficult running through period pains at Stockholm Diamond League.
American track star Alexis Holmes had a painful period race at the Stockholm Diamond League but still managed to power through on a victorious note in the women's 400m event.
The World Indoor Championships bronze medallist conveniently won the non-Diamond League race in an impressive 51.18s, far ahead of South Africa's Zeney Geldenhuys in 52.12s, while Ireland's Sophie Becker was third in 52.17s.
Shortly after the race, Holmes revealed on her X page that she was battling through period pains on the day.
Who is Alexis Holmes
The 24-year-old is a talented quarter-miler and is regarded as one of the most beautiful track athletes.
Holmes was part of Team USA's World Record setting mixed 4x400m gold medallists at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
Noteworthy is that a photograph taken of Holmes and Dutch athlete Femke Bol at the finish line by Sam Barnes was one of the highlights of the championship and a finalist for the 2023 World Athletics Photograph of the Year award.
Holmes has a 400m Personal Best (PB) of 50.24s and 50.32s outdoors.
Alexis Holmes in the 2024 season
This year has been a brilliant one for Holmes so far, who will be gunning to make the US team to the Paris Olympic Games.
In February 2024, she won the US indoor title in a Championship Record time of 50.34s, then went on to claim a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, lowering her PB to 50.24s. In addition, Holmes was part of the 4x400m relay team that won the silver medal.
Outdoors, she has won a couple of races, which saw her go below the 51s mark in all, but her best came at the Jamaica Athletics Invitational on May 11, where she clocked an impressive 50.34s.
The race in Stockholm was her slowest this season and considering her post, it's understandable why she couldn't go as fast as she would have wanted.