Arguably one of the greatest 400 meter hurdle races ever run was in the Olympic final last year. With six different national records and a world record run, many found themselves at a loss for words after witnessing the performances on the track in Tokyo. As excitement builds for the 400m hurdle final at the World Athletics Championships Oregon22 in June, six of the eight finalists from the Olympic Games will toe the line at the Prefontaine Classic in May.
The field is highlighted by the Olympic silver medalist, Rai Benjamin.
In Tokyo, Benjamin took 0.61 seconds off the American record, clocking in a 46.17 performance. That time was faster than the previous world record mark going into the race. All signs in Benjamin’s career had pointed towards his assent towards the top of the world stage, especially after his performance at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Championships at Hayward Field. There he equaled the second fastest time ever run in the 400m hurdles, setting the NCAA record with his 47.02.
Benjamin carried the moment from his collegiate record straight into a blistering start to his professional career. In 2019 he would go on to break the Prefontaine Classic 400m hurdles meet record, capture his first U.S. title, and bring home silver from the World Athletics Championships in Doha. He was also a part of the gold medal 4x400m relay teams in Doha and Tokyo. After competing in the 200m at Pre Classic last year, Benjamin will return to his primary event this May.
Alison Dos Santos will join his Olympic podium-mate at this year’s Prefontaine Classic. The Brazilian had a dream season in 2021. He ran personal bests in six races over the course of the year, lowering his Brazilian record each time. By the end of the season, he had taken 1.56 seconds off his time. In Tokyo, the 21 year-old ran a personal best 47.31 to earn his spot in the finals, and ultimately bettered his lifetime mark to 46.72 to bring home the Olympic bronze medal. This season will be his first time competing at the Pre Classic.
This year’s field will also feature Tokyo Olympic finalists Kyron McMaster (4th), Abderrahman Samba (5th), Yasmani Copello (6th), Rasmus Magi (7th), and Alessandro Sibilio (8th). McMaster, Copello and Magi all broke their national records in the Olympic finals last year, with Samba, the Qatari national record holder, still running a season’s best in the race. Rounding out the lineup are Olympic semi-finalist Kenny Selmon and the World Indoor 400m bronze medalist Carl Bengtström.
Tickets for the 47th edition of The Prefontaine Classic are on sale at www.PreClassic.com/tickets. Seating along the home stretch is moving quickly! Don’t miss out on your chance to welcome the world’s best athletes to Hayward Field.
