Canada’s Christopher Morales Williams advances to 400m semi-finals
The 20-year-old sprint phenom from Vaughan, Ont. has secured his spot in the 400m semi-finals on Tuesday
Nick Iwanyshyn
Christopher Morales Williams is well on his way to achieving his goal of running in the Olympic 400m final, after speeding to second place in his heat. As one of the top three runners in his heat, Morales Williams has secured an automatic place in the semi-finals. He joins renowned athletes like American runner Michael Norman, who previously held the world best time in the indoor 400m at 44.52 seconds, and the U.K.’s Matthew Hudson-Smith, who holds the 400m British and European record at 43.74.
Morales Williams went out hard in the initial stretch of the 400m, matched by the legendary Kirani James of Grenada, who is competing in his fourth Olympics. While Morales Williams slowed briefly, he charged ahead down the final stretch, passing Sri Lanka’s Aruna Darshana to finish second in 44.96, behind James, who ran 44.78.
The 2–year-old sophomore has had a breakout season, running for the University of Georgia. He has set three national records indoors and is now the first Canadian 400m sprinter to represent Canada at an Olympic Games since London 2012.
Morales Williams has the fastest 400m time in the world this year, running 44.05 at the 2024 SEC Championships in May. He qualified for the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Championships, which he won in 44.47 seconds to become the first Canadian male to win an individual 400m title in 84 years.
Olympic debut… NO PROBLEM!
Christopher Morales Williams 🇨🇦 advances to the semi-finals with a second-place finish in men's 400m heats.
44.96 for the NCAA champ!#Athletics #teamCanada #paris2024
— Canadian Running (@CanadianRunning) August 4, 2024
“It has given me a lot more confidence in myself, but it doesn’t really change things this year,” says Morales Williams. “My biggest goal has always been to make the Olympics, but now I am confident in being there and even making it to the 400m final.”
Eighteen men, including Morales Williams, will advance to the semi-finals, which will take place on Tuesday, August 6 at 1:35 p.m. ET.
Athletics events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are taking place from Aug. 1-11. Today’s coverage is brought to you by Canadian Running and PUMA Canada. Follow us on Twitter on Instagram for all things Team Canada and up-to-date exclusive news and content.
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