4 years in the past, Bhutan’s Kinzang Lhamo might by no means have imagined that she would at some point run a marathon, not to mention an Olympic one. But, on Sunday, Lhamo etched her title in historical past, ending the ladies’s marathon on the Paris Olympics with a time of three:52:59.
The marathon course was gruelling, and Lhamo crossed the end line an hour and half-hour behind Olympic champion Sifan Hassan. Nevertheless, for Lhamo, the race was about extra than simply the time or the consequence. “My first aim is to finish the marathon after which beat my report,” she mentioned earlier than the race. This was Lhamo’s first worldwide competitors and her first time in Europe.
Lhamo started operating solely 4 years in the past when she was recruited into the Royal Bhutan Military. “I by no means ran in class and needed to be taught to run,” Lhamo revealed. “My trainer advised me that I used to be good at it and will run a marathon.”
Her journey in operating led her to the Olympics, the place she certified by way of the World Athletics Universality program, a system designed to make sure broader world illustration by permitting athletes from nations with less-developed sports activities applications to take part within the Video games. Lhamo’s victory on the 2024 Bhutan Worldwide Marathon earned her nomination to the universality program by her nation’s Olympic committee.
The 26-year-old had the honour of serving because the flag bearer for Bhutan through the opening ceremonies and was one among three athletes representing the small South Asian nation in Paris. Whereas she is probably not bringing house a medal, the title of Olympian carries immense satisfaction and inspiration for Bhutan, as Lhamo turns into the primary Bhutanese athlete to finish an Olympic marathon.
Athletics occasions on the Paris 2024 Olympic Video games are happening from Aug. 1-11. At present’s protection is dropped at you by Canadian Operating and ASICS Canada. Observe us on Twitter on Instagram for all issues Crew Canada and up-to-date unique information and content material.
