American track star Alexis Holmes concluded her remarkable 2024 season with a standout performance at the Diamond League final in Brussels on Friday night.
Making her debut at the prestigious event, Holmes secured a commendable second place in the women’s 400 meters clocking an impressive time of 50.32 seconds.
Holmes was edged out by Olympic 400m champion Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who clinched the title with a stellar time of 49.45 seconds.
Despite narrowly missing the top spot, Holmes remained upbeat about her performance and the invaluable experience gained on such a significant stage.
“I always want to win, so that makes that I have some mixed feelings, but in the end I know that I just ran a good race today. I had a strong finish, but it just wasn´t good enough to win. Running 50,32 at the end of a long season is nothing you can be mad about,” she said.
“It was my first time in the Diamond League Final and my first time in Brussels: I really felt the energy of the crowd and it really helped me in the last 100 meters,” she noted.
The 24-year-old quarter-miler has had an exceptional year, establishing herself as one of the premier athletes in her discipline.
Earlier in the season, Holmes won the US indoor title in a Championship Record time of 50.34 seconds. She went on to claim a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, lowering her personal best to 50.24 seconds. Additionally, she was part of the 4x400m relay team that won the silver medal.
Holmes also made a significant impact at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Running a personal best time of 49.77 seconds in the final at a rainy Stade de France, she finished sixth among a world-class field and emerged as the top American athlete in the event. The blistering final was again won by Marileidy Paulino, who shattered the Olympic Record with her winning time of 48.17 seconds.
Beyond her individual achievements, Holmes was part of Team USA’s world-record-setting mixed 4x400m relay team that won gold at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
A photograph capturing Holmes and Dutch athlete Femke Bol at the finish line, taken by Sam Barnes, was one of the highlights of the championship and became a finalist for the 2023 World Athletics Photograph of the Year award.
Holmes’s journey this season has been marked by consistent improvement and resilience.
A former national champion in the 4x400m relay during her time at the University of Kentucky, she has transitioned seamlessly to the professional stage. Her participation in the Diamond League final marks another milestone in her burgeoning career.
Reflecting on her season, Holmes acknowledged both the challenges and triumphs she experienced.
“It’s been a long season, but I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished. Competing against the best in the world has pushed me to new heights, and I look forward to building on this success next year.,” she said.
Regarded not only for her athletic prowess but also for her grace and composure on and off the track Holmes is often noted as one of the most inspiring figures in the sport.
