Charlotte native Anna Cockrell competed in the women’s 400-meter hurdles semifinals at the Paris Olympics. Here’s what happened.
Anna Cockrell’s journey to redemption advanced as the Charlotte native secured a spot in the finals of the women’s 400-meter hurdles at the Paris Olympics.
Cockrell completed her semifinal with a time of 52.90 seconds, finishing second in her race. She overcame a slow start to place behind Dutch star Femke Bol. Fellow Americans Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Jasmine Jones also qualified for Thursday’s final. McLaughlin-Levrone posted a time of 52.13 seconds, the fastest ever recorded in a women’s 400-meter semifinal at the Olympics.
The women’s 400-meter hurdles final will be held at 3:25 p.m. Eastern on Thursday. The race will be broadcast live on WCNC Charlotte and will also air during NBC’s primetime coverage of the Olympics. The event is one of the most anticipated at the Olympics, with fans eagerly filling the stands to watch world record holder Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone compete.
Dutch runner Femke Bol, who impressed during the 4×400 mixed relay, is also a strong contender for a medal in the 400-meter hurdles. Although Anna Cockrell is not expected to medal in Paris, reaching the final is a significant achievement for the Charlotte native. Cockrell was disqualified during the Tokyo Games for a lane violation, leaving many fans puzzled about her elimination.
For Cockrell, making the U.S. Olympic team was a major mental challenge. “This time around I was almost more nervous at the Olympic Trials than I was in 2021,” Cockrell told WCNC Charlotte’s Ashley Stroehlein. “In 2021, I felt like I was able to sneak onto the team, but this time people know my name and what I can do. It was almost more of a relief to make the team this time.”
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