- Listen to audio clips from Demus at the bottom.
- For more coverage of Demus, watch/read the clips here.
The International Olympic Committee presented the 400m hurdles gold medal to two-time U.S. Olympian Lashinda Demus at Champions Park in Paris on August 9th. 4,384 days in the making, the gold medal was for the London 2012 Olympics. Also receiving upgraded Olympic medals for the 400m hurdles were Zuzana Henjnova of Czechia (silver) and Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica (bronze).
Prior to receiving their medals, all three talked about their excitement leading up to the moment. All three agreed they were thrilled their families were there with them.
All told, 10 Olympians had their medals upgraded in the ceremony at Champions Park in Paris. Only Demus and U.S. High Jumper Eric Kynard (London 2012) were presented with gold medals.
Demus won the silver medal in the 400m hurdles at the London 2012 Olympics. In October of 2022, the IOC announced the gold medalist had doped, and she was disqualified, making Demus the gold medalist in March of 2023. The mother of four has worked relentlessly with the IOC for almost two years for this moment of glory for all. Her mom, Yolanda Demus, coached her to the first American title in the 400m hurdles. With the gold medal, Yolanda and Lashinda become the first Mother-Daughter Duo to win a Gold Medal at the Olympics in Track and Field.
A true pioneer, in 2012 she was called the fastest mother in the world as her twins (Dontay and Duaine Mayrant), then-aged 5, were in the stands cheering her on.
Former Gamecock Teammate Chelsea Hammond Ross
Demus’ former Gamecock teammate, Jamaican Olympian Chelsea Hammond Ross, received the bronze medal for the long jump (Beijing 2008) at the ceremony in Champions Park in Paris. She is the first Jamaican to medal in the long jump.
Demus’ Four Sons Accompanied Her to Paris
Demus’ four boys also accompanied her to the gold medal ceremony. They are the now-17-year-old twins, Dontay and Duaine, Syre (5), and Sincere (4). To assist with travel costs to Paris, a Go Fund Me page has been established by the family.
Dontay and Duaine were both thrilled for their mom and honored to put on the gold medal soon after she received it.
Ceremony at the USA House
A private reception with USOPC dignitaries, family and other invited guests followed the ceremony at the USA House in Paris. Her mother, Yolanda Demus (above with Lashinda) who served as her coach in 2012, was presented with the Order of the Ikkos as well.
The Order of Ikkos was created by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee in 2008. It is presented by Team USA medal-winning athletes to a coach, mentor or other individual who has been instrumental in their success. The Order of Ikkos is named after Ikkos of Tarentum, the first recorded Olympic coach in ancient Greece. His coaching led multiple Tarentine athletes to gold medals in the pentathlon, and his legacy is honored through this award.
NBC Appearance
Later in the evening, Demus and Kynard were interviewed on NBC. Of course both were wearing their gold medals. Finally overjoyed to have them!
Clips from an interview with Lashinda Demus right after she received her gold medal on Friday, August 9th in Paris:
Who from your family came to the ceremony and what is it like celebrating with them?
What is it like to have your mom here?
How proud are you that this ceremony will take place and other ceremonies like it will take place in the future because you stood your ground?
What was it like to be in the stadium for Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s world record in this year’s Olympics?
What would you say about the general state of the 400m hurdles now?
