Marileidy Paulino Wins Gold, Breaks Olympic Record
Dominican sprinter Marileidy Paulino made history on Friday, claiming gold in the women’s 400m final at the Paris Olympics. Her time of 48.17 not only secured the gold but also shattered the Olympic record previously held by Marie-José Pérec since 1996.
“For me it’s big, it’s big because I’m always looking for the goal and I’m happy to have achieved it,” Paulino said after the race.
The 27-year-old Paulino also achieved the 6th best time in the history of the 400m and 4th best for women. Her victory is a significant achievement for the Dominican Republic, as she is the first woman from the country to win an individual Olympic gold medal in athletics.
Paulino’s journey to gold wasn’t straightforward. She initially tried handball and then 200m before focusing on the 400m. Her dedication and talent have culminated in this remarkable accomplishment.