Reallocated medals to be celebrated at the Olympics for the first time in Paris
When the Olympic Games get underway in Paris this summer, there will be an Olympic first. While medals have been reallocated over the years due to various disqualifications, these Olympics will be the first time those medals will be officially presented at the Games. Ten athletes will receive their medals at Champions Park.
Among those medalists is the entire medal podium in the women’s 400-meter hurdles from the 2012 Olympics in London. The disqualification of gold medalist Natalya Antyukh of Russia due to doping means American Lashinda Demus will receive the gold medal, Zuzana Hejnova of Czech Republic will get the silver, and Kaliese Spencer Carter of Jamaica will receive the bronze.
“I’m extremely happy, but at the same time I think, ‘Imagine if that would have happened 12 years ago,’” said Carter. “I know I’m going to feel great when I get my medal, but also certain it won’t be the same [feeling] that I would have had 12 years ago if I were to get it right there in the stadium at the time of the race.”
The 2012 Olympics were amazing for Jamaican track athletes. Usain Bolt and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce both repeated as champions in the 100 meters, among multiple other medalists. After missing the 2008 Olympics due to injury, Carter had been competing consistently.
“England has a lot of Jamaicans, so it was one of the places I wanted to do so well. I always performed well when I went there in the past,” said Carter. “In the finals, I was in lane eight. I gave it my all. I got a season’s best. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to finish in the top three. It would have been one of the greatest things for me having gotten that medal right there and then.”
Carter, 37, was still training and competing until last year. When she first received news that she would be receiving the bronze medal, she was in disbelief. Now a mentor to young track athletes, having this tangible moment will be special. Her three-year-old son, Michael, will accompany her to Paris.
“I have my suit from 2012; I’ve never worn it,” said Carter. “If I need to wear it, I will, but I’ll see if I get the 2024 suit. If not, I’ll put my 2012 suit on.”
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