Alabama Sends Trio to Men’s 400-Meter Final at Paris Olympics

PARIS – All three Alabama track and field participants in the men's 400 meters advanced to the event final at the Paris Olympics, as Kirani James (Grenada), Samuel Ogazi (Nigeria) and Jereem Richards (Trinidad & Tobago) each made history as they clinched three of the eight finalist spots.

With a runner in each of the three heats, the Crimson Tide trio either needed to finish in the top two of their respective heat, or clock one of the next two fastest times overall in order move on.

In Heat 1, Richards ran 44.33 for a second-place finish to successfully advance to the first Olympic 400-meter final of his career. In the next heat, James became the first man to make four Olympic 400-meter finals, clocking a first-place finish with a 43.78. Rounding out the semifinal was Samuel Ogazi who recently completed his freshman season with Alabama. Clocking a personal-best time of 44.41, Ogazi became the first Nigerian man to make an Olympic 400-meter final since 1988.

The Crimson Tide trio will return to Stade de France Wednesday, Aug. 7, for the 400-meter final at 2:20 p.m. CT on NBC and streaming live on Peacock.

Kirani James (Grenada)

Became the first man to reach four 400-meter finals in Olympic history
- Semifinal Heat 2 | 43.78 (Q) | 1^st
Three-time Olympic 400-meter medalist
- Gold in 2012
- Silver in 2016
- Bronze in 2021
Years at Alabama: 2010-11

Samuel Ogazi (Nigeria)

Became the first Nigerian man to make an Olympic 400-meter final since 1988
- Semifinal Heat 3 | 44.41 (q, PB) | 3^rd
Will be the youngest athlete in this year's 400-meter final at 18 years old
Just completed his freshman season at Alabama

Jereem Richards (Trinidad & Tobago)

Earned his first appearance in the Olympic 400-meter final
- Semifinal Heat 1 | 44.33 (Q) | 2^nd
Two-time Olympic finalist in his Olympic debut at Tokyo 2021 and was an alternate at Rio 2016
- Eighth in the 200m
- Eighth in the 4x400m Relay
Years at Alabama: 2017

University of Alabama Athletics