Nicole Yeargin made her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2021 as all the things she had been working in the direction of lastly fell into place. Representing Workforce GB within the girls’s 400m closing was precisely what she had hoped for nevertheless it didn’t go to plan for the American-based Scot, regardless of ending third within the semi-finals.
Initially believing that her third-place end had secured her a spot within the closing, she was later disqualified as a result of a lane infringement, dashing her hopes of competing for that Olympic medal.
It was a painful ending to what had been a profitable season for the 26-year-old. Yeargin was, and nonetheless is, third on the Scottish all-time girls’s 400m listing after posting an Olympic qualifying time of fifty.96 on the NCAA Championships that 12 months.
“I used to be younger. I had simply graduated faculty on the time, I had simply come off an excellent season on the NCAA Championships,” says Yeargin.
“Coming off the Video games throughout such a excessive season, I discovered the best way to adapt to it. I had a concern of getting again in my lane and for the primary couple of races after the Olympics you’re pondering: ‘Don’t do this’. It makes you assume extra.
“After I look again at it, I actually had psychological anxiousness and I didn’t comprehend it was anxiousness at first, I believed it was simply stress.
“Coach at all times informed me you have got 24 hours to indulge in your glory or cry and be damaging. It was an enormous flip round, it sucked at first and I believe your first loss is at all times going to be your hardest, however I’m again on the Olympics three years later.”
Nevertheless, that wasn’t the tip of Yeargin’s Olympic journey in 2021 as she had the possibility to show her potential within the relays – the occasion at which she feels she excels.
Yeargin was a part of the combined 4x400m staff, alongside Nicklas Baker, Emily Diamond and Cameron Chalmers, who completed in sixth place (3:12.07).
Tokyo 4x400m staff (Getty)
In direction of the tip of the Video games Yeargin had one final likelihood to get on that podium within the girls’s relay. Regardless of the grit and willpower of the staff, she, Jodie Williams, Emily Diamond and Ama Pipi took fifth place (3:22.59).
“I didn’t let my DQ set me again as a result of I nonetheless needed to run the relays,” says Yeargin. “If I had simply received DQ’d and that was it, then I might most likely be just a little salty however the relays helped me get out of that groove.”
Nevertheless the British staff have been proving themselves in the previous couple of years after profitable two bronze medals on the World Championships in Eugene and Budapest.
Yeargin, who was a part of these line-ups, is absorbing the strain of gaining one other medal.
Nicole Yeargin, Laviai Nielsen, Amber Anning, Ama Pipi (Getty)
“It’s strain nevertheless it’s good strain. Everyone seems to be getting sooner however so are we,” she says.
“We’ve got so many legs operating quick this 12 months and now we have some nice man runners this 12 months as effectively.
“I believe, coming off Tokyo, we received fifth within the girls’s and sixth within the combined – we’re undoubtedly going to crush that up this 12 months.
“Even when I’m down, and also you assume I’m not doing effectively within the season I at all times come by means of for the relays and I can’t wait to point out them what I’ve received.
“I shall be competing after the Olympics which is new for me, I often finish [my season] after the championships so I’m actually pleased to be in an excellent head house to have the ability to knock out some extra races put up Olympics.”
In 2022 Yeargin additionally landed Commonwealth Video games relay bronze for Scotland however she already has a objective in thoughts relating to stepping on that purple monitor in Paris.
Femke Bol, Nicole Yeargin and Stacey Ann Williams (Getty)
“Coach stated: ‘I simply want you on the market and do what you at all times do, break up a 49’ and I used to be like: ‘Effectively I’m going to do greater than that’.
“I’ve run 49s previously two years and I haven’t run that quick as a person so I’ve some confidence behind me, and we are able to go just a little sooner than that.
“The combined relay goes to be arduous however I’m up for it. I’m 100 per cent there and, in the event that they want me, I shall be in.”
If you first hear Yeargin communicate, her American accent is likely to be essentially the most noticeable factor.
Raised in Maryland, she qualifies to compete for Workforce GB because of her mom, who was born in Dunfermline.
“After I clarify it to individuals I believe it’s regular and I nonetheless have household dwelling in Scotland,” says Yeargin. “My mum was born and raised in Scotland her entire life, so I simply have a distinct accent.
“I don’t trash discuss the Individuals however, on the finish of the day once you get on that monitor, you’re my enemy.”
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