Paris 2024 Olympics: Dominican Republic’s Paulino wins 400m gold

Paulino, who won silver in Tokyo, has been unbeaten over the distance at four consecutive athletics meets this year and stormed to a comfortable lead halfway through the lap, finishing in 48.17 seconds.

Marileidy Paulino of Dominican Republic celebrates with her national flag after winning gold in the women’s 400m final. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino surged to victory in the 400 metres on Friday to add Olympic gold to her world title.

Paulino, who won silver in Tokyo, has been unbeaten over the distance at four consecutive athletics meets this year and stormed to a comfortable lead halfway through the lap, finishing in 48.17 seconds.

That broke the Olympic record set in 1996 by France’s Marie-Jose Perec.

Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser took silver and Poland’s Natalia Kaczmarek earned the bronze.

Before the Olympics Kaczmarek had the fastest time this year amongst the eight finalists but she could not respond to Paulino’s powerful push on the night. Still, the Pole was delighted with bronze after not making it to the final in Tokyo.

Rhasidat Adeleke finished fourth but still made history.