Cyréna Samba-Mayela Shatters Records: A Glimpse of Olympic Glory
Crowned European champion in the 100m hurdles on Saturday in Rome by signing the best world performance of the year and again shattering her own French record, Cyréna Samba-Mayela asserts herself as a very serious contender for the Olympic podium, less than fifty days before the Paris Olympic Games. Competing in a high-risk discipline, Samba-Mayela clocked 12''31 (with a favorable wind of 0.8 m/s), demonstrating astounding fluidity and control. The 23-year-old Frenchwoman beat the Swiss Ditaji Kambundji (12''40) and the Polish Pia Skrzyszowska (12''42).
"It was a lucid dream, feeling in control of what I am doing, being completely aware of everything, which makes you appreciate the moment even more," Samba-Mayela shared in the mixed zone, wrapped in the French flag. "I knew that whatever the outcome, it would help me prepare for the Games, but picking up both the gold medal and an incredible time was a huge bonus," she added. Samba-Mayela now ranks as the tenth best performer in history over the distance, offering a strong hint of her potential at the upcoming Olympics.
Samba-Mayela achieved this feat less than two months before the Olympic extravaganza at the Stade de France, enhancing her credibility as a star athlete. In a single evening at the European Athletics Championships in Rome, she shaved 21 hundredths off her French record, first lowering it to 12”43 in the semi-finals and then to 12”31 in the final. Her previous best was 12''68 earlier in the season, and she had improved it to 12''55 in April. "I knew that if I executed everything perfectly, the clock could only go down," she noted. "This is the pleasing surprise of the evening."
Samba-Mayela's record-breaking time of 12''31 is not just a national achievement; it places her at the top tier globally. Had she clocked this time at the World Championships last year in Budapest, she would have won gold. Though this comparison remains hypothetical, it showcases her caliber in the global athletics arena, especially in a field of strong competition from countries like Jamaica, the USA, Puerto Rico, and Nigeria.
Joining her in the spotlight, Auriana Lazraq-Khlass also shone brightly by securing the silver medal in the heptathlon, achieving a total of 6,635 points and breaking six personal bests in the seven combined events. This performance validated her Olympic qualifications and brought additional prestige to the French team at the European Championships.
- Samba-Mayela’s success story is rooted in her dedicated training, which saw her move to Orlando, Florida, to work under coach John Coghlan and alongside reigning Olympic champion Jasmine Camacho-Quinn. This strategic move paid off as she broke multiple records, including the French record in Xiamen, China, in April with a time of 12.55.
- A highlight of her ascent was her performance in Eugene, where she equalled her French record in the 100m hurdles, clocking 12''52. This consistent display of performance reiterates her potential to make a significant mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- With less than fifty days to go, the anticipation is high for Samba-Mayela's performance on August 10 at the Stade de France, where the 100m hurdles final will be a highlight, drawing the eyes of the world to see if she transforms her European success into Olympic glory.
