'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Who is Alaysha Johnson? All about the American 100m hurdler who had to borrow spikes to compete at the Paris Olympics
Alaysha Johnson is an American hurdler who recently qualified for the 100m hurdles semifinals at the Paris Olympics 2024. This comes after her solid performance during the heat of the event on Wednesday (August 7).
Johnson was slotted to run in the first heats of the events along with the 2022 World Champion (100m Hurdles), Tobi Amusan. Even though she couldn't hold off Amusan in the race, her performance was enough to take her to the semifinals of the 100m hurdles in the first Olympics of her career. She registered a run time of 12.61 seconds, finishing just 0.12 seconds short of Amusan.
Behind this staggering performance on the Olympic stage, Alaysha Johnson also has an emotional backdrop to her journey that traces back to the US Olympic Track and Field Trials 2024, where she had to borrow shows from a fellow hurdler, Tonea Marshall, and also wore a uniform that she designed herself.
She finished in the second position in the 100m Hurdles event finals, paving the way for her first Olympic at the French capital. Now, Johnson has already booked a place in the semis and will eye for a place in the finals on August 9 (semifinals).
Speaking about her journey after the trials she told "AP News" in July this year:
"People like me who come from the inner city of Houston ... it’s hard for us to get opportunities. It always takes what I say is double the effort to get half as far. I always tell people if we had a little bit more support, I probably could have been here a long time ago."
Alaysha Johnson: Family and Hometown
She was born in Spring, Texas on July 20, 1996. She spent most of her childhood there and also completed her basic education in Spring. No more detailed information is available for her parents and other members of her family.
Alaysha Johnson: Educational details
Johnson completed her schooling at Spring High School in Texas following which she completed her higher education from the University of Oregon and Texas Tech University. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in Sociology from the University of Oregon.
Alaysha Johnson: Other achievements of the hurdler
The 28-year-old has been a bright track and field athlete ever since her schooling days in Spring High School when she was also named the Gatorade Track and Field Athlete of the Year (Girls category).
During her collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks Track and Field team, Johnson produced numerous podium finishes including a top podium finish at the 2017 Pac-12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships (Women's 100m Hurdles).
Johnson has also been a national indoor champion in the 60m hurdles event, a feat that she achieved last year during the USA Indoor Track and Field Championships in New Mexico.
She also competed at the 2023 Pan American Games in the 100m Hurdles and registered a bronze-medal finish in the competition. She also clinched a gold during the NACAC Continental Championships in 2022.
Trending
