Hurdler Lauren Hoffman winds up 37th in opening round, goes to repechage

Lauren Hoffman marked her much-awaited Summer Games debut and finished 37th in the opening round of the women's 400m hurdles in the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday at the Stade de France. 

The 25-year-old Filipina-American trackster registered in 57.84 seconds to finish last among eight racers in Heat 4 and eventually wind up 37th in the overall rankings as she failed to clinch an outright semifinals ticket. 

Only the top three racers in each heat and the next three fastest athletes will seal an automatic semifinals berth while the rest of the participants will have to fight for their life in the repechage stage. 

Hoffman will still compete in the repechage round on Monday at 4:50 p.m. to remain in contention. 

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Femke Bol of Netherlands topped the heats with 53.38 seconds while three American hurdlers followed suit with Jasmine Jones beating compatriot and reigning gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone by the slimmest of margin with the former clocking 53.60 (.594) while the latter registered 53.60 (.595). 

Anna Cockrell of USA emerged as the fourth fastest with 53.91 seconds. 

Earlier, John Cabang Tolentino also moved to the repechage round in the men's 110m hurdles.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News