Laviai Nielsen first stepped foot inside London Stadium in the course of the 2012 Olympic Video games as Jessica Ennis-Hill’s bag service. Little did she know that 12 years later she would return to the identical iconic stadium, not as a volunteer, however as a competitor, breaking the 50-second barrier within the 400m for the primary time.
Final Saturday (July 20) Nielsen ran 49.87 on the London Diamond League, taking a bit off her PB of fifty.67. Ending in fifth place, the run strikes Nielsen from No.12 on the UK all-time rankings to No.7.
“I mentioned to my coach I’m not leaving that stadium with out 49 subsequent to my title,” says Nielsen. “This complete season I’ve needed to be affected person and it has been a very long time coming. I mentioned I don’t care what occurs in Could, June, July so long as I’m prepared in August and now I’m prepared.”
Crossing that line in tears introduced Nielsen again to London 2012 the place she labored as a volunteer.
Carrying the luggage of Olympic champion Ennis-Hill impressed the teenager to achieve her full potential and change into an Olympian in the future herself. “I actually imply it after I say that is my favorite place on the planet,” says Nielsen.
“That is the stadium the place I used to be impressed to decide to the game full time in 2012. I’ve this stadium to thank for a lot.”
Laviai Nielsen (Getty)
The London Stadium appears to embrace Nielsen as a lot as she cherishes it. After deciding to focus solely on the 400m, Nielsen clinched her first main championship medal within the 4x400m on the 2017 World Championships, hosted on the London Stadium.
Whereas learning geography at King’s School London, Nielsen, alongside her GB team-mates Zoey Clark, Eilidh Doyle and Emily Diamond, gained the silver medal in entrance of a house crowd.
Laviai Nielsen at London 2017 (Getty)
Nielsen’s success on the London Stadium didn’t finish there. In 2019, she broke the 51-second barrier on the Anniversary Video games clocking 50.83. Remarkably, this milestone occurred on the identical monitor and precisely 5 years to the day she achieved her sub-50 triumph final weekend (July 20).
It’s clear that Nielsen gained’t be turning down any alternatives to race in London once more. “There’s one million the reason why this stadium is my favorite place on the planet,” says Nielsen.
“That is the stadium the place I gained my first medal seven years in the past. That is the stadium the place I broke 51 for the primary time 5 years in the past. And now it’s the stadium the place I broke sub-50 for the primary time. It simply means a lot to me and we should always positively be having extra competitions right here.”
Nielsen’s journey has been a household affair, shared together with her twin sister, Lina. Each having volunteered at London 2012, they’re now set to journey to Paris collectively for the subsequent chapter of their Olympic desires.
Laviai and Lina Nielsen (Getty)
Laviai secured her spot for her second Olympic Video games after a powerful efficiency on the UK Championships in Manchester, ending second [50.92] within the 400m to Amber Anning. This might be her first particular person Olympic race, after ending fifth within the ladies’s 4x400m in Tokyo.
Lina might be making her Olympic debut after narrowly lacking out on the Tokyo group as she earned her place with a triumphant first place [54.81] within the 400m hurdles this 12 months in Manchester.
The Nielsen twins have already began this 12 months on a excessive be aware on the British Indoor Championships in February, with Laviai taking gold and Lina claiming silver within the 400m.
They continued their success as they captured world indoor bronze within the 4x400m in Glasgow with a British report of three:26.36. Now, they’re poised to tackle the world collectively in Paris.
GB 4x400m ladies’s relay (Getty)
“I used to be actually unhappy final time that I went to the Olympics with out her [Lina],” says Laviai. “I actually felt that it was one thing we should always have skilled collectively.
“I used to be really in quarantine final time for many of it so I feel we’ll each be going to expertise an Olympic championships for the primary time, and we might be doing it collectively.”
The pair have just lately returned from Rome, the place they competed on the European Championships. Nevertheless, reaching the beginning line was a major problem for each sisters.
Only a week earlier than the championships, their coach, Tony Lester, suffered a coronary heart assault throughout coaching.
“I’m actually proud with how Lina and I each executed these championships, they have been removed from straightforward for the each of us.
“Trying again now, I’m really shocked I used to be even capable of get around the monitor as a result of I felt horrible.
“However I really feel significantly better now and coach has had such a tremendous restoration, and he has taught us quite a bit from his restoration. He couldn’t keep away from the monitor and we’ve had a great lead as much as the Olympics.”
Regardless of the emotional and bodily hurdle, Laviai clocked a private finest of fifty.73 within the rounds and completed sixth within the remaining, whereas Lina achieved a private better of 54.43 within the 400m hurdles spherical, ending seventh total.
Their total journey has been documented on their YouTube channel, ‘The Nielsen Twins.’ They started sharing their athletics journey final 12 months, while additionally opening up in regards to the battle of residing with a number of sclerosis (MS). Lina was first recognized with the situation at 17, and Laviai discovered she was additionally affected simply two weeks earlier than the Tokyo Olympic Video games.
Decided to indicate that their situation doesn’t outline or restrict them, the sisters began their storytelling course of on YouTube final 12 months.
This 12 months, they’ve been importing a collection of movies titled ‘Highway to Paris’ which observe the pair as they prepare and compete around the globe – with the hopes of qualifying for the Olympics. What began as a dream has now change into a actuality.
“Lastly, we’re on that street to Paris and have reached the ultimate straight,” says Laviai. “There isn’t a lot work left to do now.
“I’ve excessive hopes for Paris and I can hopefully count on one other PB after I get there. I actually wish to make that Olympic remaining.”
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