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Meet Kirani James, the 31-year-old Grenadian sprinter going for his fourth Olympic medal at Paris Olympics 2024
Kirani James, the sprinter from Grenada, is inching closer to claiming his fourth Olympic medal at the Paris Olympics. James secured his slot in the final following striking runs in the first round and semifinal of the men’s 400m.
In the men’s 400m first round, James, competing in heat five, shook off competition from his rivals to claim the top honors in 44.78s and sailed through to the semifinal. Christopher Morales-Williams of Canada finished second as Sri Lankan athlete Dharshana Singhapurage sealed the podium in respective times of 44.96s and 44.99s.
James went into the semifinal as the favorite and did not disappoint as he claimed the win. He clocked a stunning season-best time of 43.78s to cross the finish line ahead of Zambia’s Muzala Samukonga who clocked 43.81s. America’s Christopher Bailey rounded off the podium in a time of 44.31s.
After making the cut for the men’s 400m final, the 2012 London Olympic Games 400m champion is closer to claiming his fourth Olympic medal since making his debut at the same Games. At the time, James was only 20 years old.
The Grenadian sprinter could only afford a second-place finish at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games with world record holder Wayde van Niekerk taking the win in the hotly contested race.
At the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the Carifta Games and the Commonwealth Youth Games multiple champion finished third in the men’s 400m. Steven Gardiner won the race in style in 43.85s as Colombia’s Anthony Zambrano came in second. However, Gardiner will not defend his Olympic title in Paris, giving James a chance to claim the gold.
Kirani James has in recent years owned his place as one of the greatest 400m runners, and as history beckons at the Paris Olympics, he has his eyes on the prize, a second Olympic title. He has a point to prove when he steps on the track for the men’s 400m final before the sold-out Stade de France.
Kirani James' family and hometown
Kirani James was born in 1992 and he grew up in the small fishing village of Gouyave, St. John, in Grenada. He was athletic from a young age and joined his hometown club SpeedZone at 13 under coach Albert Joseph. James' father Dorrani Marshall was a basketball player.
Kirani James' education
Kirani James went to Grenada Boys' Secondary School at age 12 and at the age of 14, he won the 400m at the 2007 CARIFTA Games. Due to his impeccable performances, James was granted a scholarship to the University of Alabama working under the tutelage and mentorship of Harvey Glance, an Olympic Gold medalist in 1976.
Glance unfortunately passed away in 2023 and James admitted that the loss affected him emotionally which contributed to his poor showing at the World Championships in Budapest. Aside from his track exploits, he has a Bachelor's degree in General business and is a member of the board of directors of WINDREF.
Kirani James' top achievements
Kirani James has cemented his place as one of the greatest 400m runners as he chases his fourth Olympic medal in Paris. He will be up against world leader Matthew Hudson-Smith, Quincy Hall, Muzala Samukonga, and Michael Norman. James can script history in the finals by becoming the first man to clinch four straight Olympic medals in the 400m.
James has achieved a lot of honors starting from his high school days to when he turned professional. As a junior athlete, James ran the fastest 400m times by a 14-year-old and a 15-year-old and even broke the U20 400m record held previously by Usain Bolt.
At the Carifta Games, James won two gold medals in the 400m and a silver in the 200m while competing as an under-17 athlete. In the under-20 category, he won three gold medals and one bronze. James dominated the Commonwealth Youth Games and World Youth Games where he racked up three gold medals and a silver medal.
At the World Junior Championships in 2008 and 2010, James won silver and gold medals respectively competing in the 400m. He made history by becoming the first athlete to compete in the 200m and 400m at the 2009 World Youth Championships. As a collegiate athlete, James won back-to-back NCAA Championship titles in his first two years in Alabama.
He currently owns the third-fastest-of-all-time indoors record in the 400m with a time of 44.80. He has won in several Diamond League Meetings and clinched the final trophies in 2022 and 2023. James has three Olympic gold medals to his name after winning the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and bronze at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
James claimed the 400m world title at the 2011 Daegu World Championships, bronze at the 2015 Beijing World Championships, and silver at the 2022 Eugene World Championships. He is a Commonwealth Games gold medalist following his performance at the 2014 Glasgow showpiece.
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