WATCH: Olympic champion Kendal Ellis shows off USA's Ralph Lauren designed-opening ceremony uniform for Paris Olympics 2024

By Agnijeeta Majumder

Modified Jul 26, 2024 16:39 GMT

Kendall Ellis, the US sprinter who competed in the 4x400m relay at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, recently flaunted the country's uniform for the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics. The 28-year-old secured qualification for this year's edition of the quadrennial event after clocking a personal best time of 49.46s in the 400m final at the trials.

Ellis clinched bronze medals in both the mixed and women's 4x400m relays at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She also boasts two gold medals from the 2017 and 2019 World Championships, anchoring the 4x400m relay team on both occasions.

This year, Ellis secured gold in the women's 4x400m relay at the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas. Soon after, her stellar performance at the 2024 US Olympic Track & Field Team Trials clinched her the pole position in the 400m event with a time of 49.46s (a personal best).

The Paris Olympics opening ceremony is set to kick off on July 26, 2024, and the excitement among athletes is palpable. In an X post by Citius Mag, Kendall Ellis was seen showcasing the Ralph Lauren-designed Team USA opening ceremony uniform: a blue blazer adorned with the Team USA logo, paired with a blue and white striped shirt and jeans.

"U.S. Olympian @kendi_kendall shows off the Team USA Opening Ceremony outfit by Ralph Lauren for tonight," the caption read. (CITIUS Mag)

Ellis, hailing from Florida, exuded pride in being able to represent her nation and also her hometown, Florida.

"I'm always telling people I’m from Florida. It’s one of the first things that I share about myself. It’s an honor to represent the USA on the world stage, but also getting to represent Florida," Ellis said. (via Miami Herald)

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Kendall Ellis shared that she was always wanted to make the Olympic team

In 2022, Kendall Ellis nearly quit athletics after a severe bout of depression struck her ahead of the World Championships.

"I was wracked with so much anxiety, I was paralyzed in bed — I physically could not move or get up for a few torturous minutes," she shared. (via Spikes)

Despite the mental turmoil, she didn't give up on her career. Now, going into the second Olympic event of her career, Ellis stated that she was glad she stuck with it.

"I’m really glad I stuck it out. I did not retire and I think both the version of me in 2022 and me now in 2024 are very glad we stuck with it. I don’t think she would be too shocked about the way things planned out because this was always the goal. I’ve always wanted to make the Olympic team individually once I got my first taste of the Olympics in 2021," she said. (via Miami Herald)

Aside from winning the 4x400m relay, Ellis will hope to win an individual gold medal in Paris.