No Hurdle Has Proven Too Great for Olympian and Track Pioneer Lashinda Demus
Demus to be Awarded by IOC Gold Medal at First-Ever Games’ Reallocation Ceremony
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Los Angeles – 4,384 Days. It’s been a long wait. A long fight to right a wrong. When the gold medal is placed around her neck in Champions Park at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 beneath the backdrop of the Eiffel Tower on August 9th – U.S. Olympian Lashinda Demus will finally kiss her medal as the champion of the 400-meter hurdles race from the Olympic Games London 2012. This will be the first-ever medal reallocation ceremony held at a Summer Olympic Games.
Since accepting the silver medal at the London Olympic Games, Demus has fought for the gold medal that was rightfully hers. “This broke my heart as I knew I was the best runner in the race,” Demus stated. “Once I get to Paris, for the Olympic Medal Ceremony, my broken heart will finally be healed.”
Listen to Audio Clips from Lashinda Demus (from The Spin Chicks Podcast)
The gold medalist was disqualified for doping, making Demus the first-ever American to win the 400m hurdles. Demus’ journey and her fight is a testament to her indomitable spirit. Since then, the married mother of four has worked relentlessly with the IOC since October 2022 for this moment of glory for all. 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.
In March of 2023, the IOC announced Demus would be awarded the gold medal. Demus had dreams of the IOC presenting the medal to her in Paris’ Olympic Stadium at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Due to Olympic Stadium scheduling and IOC regulations this wasn’t possible. The IOC and Demus collaborated together on the idea of holding the medal reallocation ceremony in the Champions Park.
“I was a parent and a coach for Lashinda so I saw both sides. When she was down and didn’t get the gold medal that she worked so hard to accomplish her dream. Now I get to see her dream come true as a parent and coach to receive her gold medal,” said Yolanda Demus, aka Mom Coach (MC).
To assist with travel costs to Paris, a Go Fund Me page has been established by the family.
Demus is excited she’ll be celebrating the moment with family, friends and London 2012 competitors. “I’m thrilled the IOC will also recognize the deserving silver and bronze medalists, Zuzana Henjnova of Czechia and Kaliese Spencer of Jamaica, respectively, as well,” Demus said. “I also want to thank the USOPC for their continued support.”
Demus’ four sons will accompany her to Paris for the ceremony. The four boys are the now-17-year-old twins, Dontay and Duaine, Syre (5), and Sincere (4). She is most looking forward to seeing their reaction when she receives the medal!
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Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission (AC) Emma Terho said: “We are very much looking forward to seeing athletes receive their Olympic medals in a venue that will provide such a spectacular backdrop and electric atmosphere.” She added that “these ceremonies result from the athletes’ voice being taking into account in decision-making, as the IOC Executive Board supported the recommendation from the IOC AC, which also had the strong support of the Paris 2024 AC.”
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Lashinda Demus Bio
Two-time Olympian (2004 Athens Semis, 2012 London Gold Medalist)
Two-time World Champion (400m hurdles, 4x400m relay)
Native of Inglewood, California (2001 Long Beach Wilson HS Graduate)
University of South Carolina 4-time NCAA Champion (2015 Graduate)